Health of American Democracy
Introduction
Democracy is often referred to as a rule in which power is in the hands of the citizen and is directly or indirectly used in the selection of the appropriate leadership system and rightful leaders to represent the citizens (Wilentz 54). The selection of such representatives is done intermittently through a process of election of the leaders after the agreed time. In the United States, exercising egalitarianism and identifying the ethical aspects of human life has been the primary target for the formulated policies within the U.S.A's systems. Since the reinstatement of democracy in the country, a massive change has been noticed in the delivery and respect for the human social life, citizen rights, and creation of platform responsible for fostering national welfares. Numerous studies have found an excellent collaboration between democratic governments and achievements in the market world, peace development, avoidance of humanitarian crises, and countering international terrorism. The current essay tries to compare the United States government structure with that of California and look at the health of American democracy.
discount codeThe United States not only seek to exhaust the existence of a democratic system within its boundaries, but it is determined to promote its establishment and ensuring that it prospers all over the globe in other nations. The goal can be achieved through assisting newly formed self-governing nations in the implementation and upholding of its ethics (Wilentz 56). In addition, the U.S.A takes a responsibility of ensuring that it criticizes any regimes that deny its citizens the power to exercise their rights and obligations in a fair way.
Today, the USA can be seen as an ambassador of such system, and therefore, the biggest query is to understand whether the regime works as intended or it has failed. In the early days, it can be learned that monarchy was the most adorned leadership, and representatives of the people were selected by the wise men. Furthermore, the women and African-American were not allowed to participate in the voting of leaders in the American world (Wilentz 59). Since the existence of the new system that recognizes every human and respects the sovereignty, people today are involved in the selection of the presidents and senators with involvement in the constitutional changes and policy-making.
The development of the jury laws was a responsibility for each state. For any law violation, a citizen has a right to be physically taken to court for jurisdiction. The punitive action only takes the course after trial, and it is obvious that no person can be charged with a violation of what has not yet been passed to be a law within the specific state. Law breakers are deported back to their states for any judgment by the court of justice (Wilentz 59).
Certain legislations used to go through the government executive with the majority rule, which existed in the early days. There were three sanction levels which included the House, the Senate, and the president (Wilentz 60). Changes came up to ensure that the veto points were democratically increased to ensure that any bills were scrutinized in a better way before they become laws of the American nation. The Senate was developed to the Majority and Minority levels increasing the veto points to four under which legislation must satisfy before it is passed and accepted. The majority did make a decision, but in all aspects of the democratic constitution, the minority was affected by the decisions raised in any way (Wilentz 60).
America is struggling to meet its democratic rights in all areas of the representation in the state governments. A report from the Center for American Progress suggests that there was no overrepresentation in all the states (Wilentz 63). Therefore, women have been considered as important participants in the American population and positions are created for which women representatives are elected to raise a voice for women in the federal and state governments. Racial discrimination has been a major challenge for the people of color living in the United States. The protection of human rights is a responsibility of the democratic system and, therefore, the slots have been created in the state governments which the selected individuals are there to ensure that they seek recognition and involvement of people of color in the national and state matters without negligence (Wilentz 63).
Provision of public goods, such as education, is an obligation of the federal government which is devolved to the state government. Moreover, security provision to the citizens is left to the state government. Laws are made to govern the access to the delivery of the services to the local people at each state is required to develop policies to foster the level of services with the participation of the citizens (Wilentz 65). Respect for policies of an individual state is to be taken by all other states. Grants are allocated to meet the sustenance of different programs, such as political campaigns and social funds, to take care of the old age.
Challenges
Democracy in the U.S.A faces difficulties since it is dynamic to meet each states requirements. In certain states, for instance, citizens are allowed to cast votes three weekends earlier before the exact voting day while others are put to wait on the lines longer enough during the voting day. Among the primary objectives of a democratic government is fostering equality which may result in faults and flaws in the accountability of the votes. All the citizens require justice and fairness in the participation in the national matters. The system thus is posed to underperform its constitutional requirement (Wilentz 65).
Second, there are cases of under-representativeness within certain states. For example, in one state you find the elected leaders with lust for money while in other states, you discover a well-organized pack of leaders working to counter the malicious effects of such immoralities. Democracy is criticized for being filthy since representatives of malice behaviors need to meet jurisdiction and punitive action for the exploitation of the citizens (Wilentz 66). Similarly, equity is not met since the political figures do not receive the required punishment due to the flows experienced in the court systems. The laws are protecting the leaders, and therefore, little is done in the fulfillment of justice (Wilentz 66).
Each state is responsible for making its budget and allocations, but Washington faces a challenge where it cannot make a jury on its budget and laws. The latter is democratically wrong since its residents are required to take part in the national wars and payment of taxes, which formulations are not within their powers (Wilentz 77). It is ignorance to equality since Washington residents do not take part in the final agreements, but rather a congress comprised of members from the other states. The individual members are not given the full mandate to exercise their democratic rights.
Comparison between the US government structure and the California government
Federal systems overlook all the devolved responsibilities of the state governments (Wilentz 77). The states are given the powers to develop certain policies and laws that would foster the development of each state on its requirement. Certain similarities may occur between the two governments and, consequently, several different may arise within them as discussed below as well.
In both governments, there is a constitution formulated to guide the protection of the people. The federal government insists on the provision of fundamental rights to its citizens, but the Californian law implies stricter follow-up security of its citizens (Wilentz 79). For instance, the tax impositions put on the private property. The governmental body discourages any increment on taxes by the local and state administration. In California increments are allowed within districts which the residents have proposed for the increase, and a majority of two-thirds have complied with the treaty (Wilentz 79).
Unlike the federal rule, the Californian courts are protecting the individuals from the unintended physical damage of private property as a way to reduce costs that would, either way, affect the municipal governments (Wilentz 81). The national rule protects the general public from racial and gender discrimination when it comes to recruitment of workers. The courts in California have called upon all the local and state entities to disregard such considerations in employment and educational grounds.
In addition, California is rather fortunate for the provision of additional protection to citizen's businesses. They have developed an excellent court system with well-informed advocates of the constitutional rights who play a role in offering counseling services and even protection within the courts of law if the need arises.
The court systems in the United States of America are made up from three levels. At the top, there is the court of last resort followed by the appellate court, and, lastly, the trial court, which exists for both Federal and Californian systems. Judges within the federal courts are nominated by the president in power, and they serve for life (Wilentz 85). On the contrary, Californian judicial executives are appointed in office through elections, and they serve for a given term after which elections occur to select again.
Several differences have been noticed in the two government systems. They include the following:
|
Reference Idea |
Federal (U.S) |
California (State) |
|
Constitutional characteristics |
Short with twenty-seven amendments |
Long with amendments exceeding five hundred |
|
Partition of powers |
It is divided to serve the national and the state governments. |
A unitary system where there is the existence of much local autonomy. |
|
Referendum |
Not allowed |
Conducted by this government |
|
Legislature status |
House members are summing to 435 with a Senate of 100 participants |
Consists of 80 assembly members and 40 Senate participants. |
|
Passage of a bill |
It is passed by the vote cast by the majority members. |
Relies of the majority of total membership without voting. |
|
Executive system |
Involves a single leader system where the person is elected |
Have plural systems through which the leaders are also elected |
|
Judicial powers exercised |
Rather high powers |
Limited with the effect of constitutional variations |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the U.S government structure controls several aspects that the California state does not control. The irresistible mainstream of crimes undertaken is investigated, put on trial, and punished by the U.S federal instead of the state California government. The United States government administers and controls all elections as well as the elections for California offices. Therefore, the U.S government can do anything that the California state government does not do, which means that the federal laws override the state laws and that the federal states responsibilities have been escalating and are believed to continue growing.
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