Democracy is the ablity to have a voice in government , however not a direct voice.This indirect voice is best represented through the leaders that ones sees best fit.So how do americans get their voice across? The answer is simple , and that is through voting and political particapation.The right to vote was a long haul, in the 1800s only landowning white males where allowed to vote.Over time with the demand for change, blacks were allowed to vote and slowy but surely women were allow to vote.Currently in the United States of America in order vote you must be 18 years or older and a U.S citizen.This essay will explore the prilvage of voting, why voters tend to vote and why not and if voting can be considered rational.
The right to vote does not mean the need to vote .Whether it be the presidental election or a small town election , the whole concept behind any election is to represent democracy.Voting allows the peoples voice to choose who will represent their government.Often times the issue of adverse selection arises where not enough information is given to the voter making it hard for the voter to choose the best representative.Another issue making it hard for voters to want to vote would be the problem of moral hazard.A great example of moral hazard would be the Watergate Scandal in 1972.During this time the United States was at war with Vitenam and all hopes and beliefs were in President Nixon.The Vitenam war was a war that confused many Americans , and due to this confusion Nixon was looked to for gudiance and understanding.He won his reelection in 1972 with 97 percent of electoral votes.The American people wanted the troops out of vietnam and Nixon promise to "withdrawl all american troops within 90 days of ta...
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... are backed behind that vote.In 2001, Presdent George bush favored the top 1 percent of wage earners by providing tax cuts , “polling data showed that millions of middle class and lower middle class americans still favor the tax cuts altough these cuts did not benefit them”( Lowi 421).Middle class and lower class voters lacked understanding and knowelegde when they supported the 2001 tax cuts for the wealthy.It is this lack of knoweledge that professor Larry Bartel argues is “misplaced self interest”.So in short voting is rational if it is a educated vote.
Having the right the vote expresses the idea of demcocracy.However true and effiecent democracy is where the voter is educated and aware of present situations and other possible outcomes.By exploring the way in which voters make their choices it becomes clear wherether voting for some could be consider rational.
The United States of America was built on the fundamental principles of democracy. Democracy is government by the people for the people. The people have opinions about government that are expressed mainly through voting. It is common knowledge that anyone of age can choose to vote. **** There are many issues in the election system of the United States. Some issues include, the absence of a defined right to vote in the Constitution, the American ballots, the Electoral College, the cost of being a politician, and the electronic voting systems in use today. In this paper I will address problems in the electoral system and my opinion on various solutions.
The Chartist movement (a working class political movement) in 1840 believed “People had no one else but themselves to blame for the actions of their politicians” (Nash). What Mr. Nash and the chartist movement believe couldn’t be more on the spot. This country has gotten to the point where people find it hard to walk down their street to the elementary school where the voting polls are, and take a few minutes to cast a vote. A vote that millions of people around the world wish they were able to have them selves. With all the political suffrage that goes on through the world and people forced to love a leader, these no-shows should be thankful to live in a democracy. A place where elections aren’t rigged and the people are truly heard. This is why the topic of voting turnout needs to be raised. Also it’s very annoying to hear people complaining about our President when they did not even vote. It’s a very bad habit to not vote, and it needs to change with the younger citizens of this country. Helping younger people see the importance of voting needs to start with technological and educational ideas while expanding all the way to social event ideas. Only then will America’s ability to find answers to voting turnout increase.
The United States is run by a democracy. There are many pieces to democracy that must be in good health in order for democracy to be effective and work. In this essay I will critique some of the most important parts of democracy in America and go deeper. I will first focus on the strengths of United States democracy and then I will dive into categories of democracy that I believe to not be thriving. I believe that the current conditions of United States democracy are becoming a hindrance to this nation, because the opinions and freedoms the public possess are being stripped away through poor media, education, and economy.
From its early period, the United States has obtained an indirect type of democracy, and has always had contentment that its citizens are allowed to vote for their representatives, especially the President. Nevertheless, the amount of citizens that actually vote in nationwide elections has decreased noticeably over the years. Voter participation and turnout has been declining in the United States throughout history. Voter turnout, the percentage of eligible individuals who actually vote (Ginsberg), to this day is lower than it was in the 1900’s. Since 1912, presidential elections have only had about 50 to 65 percent of Americans participate. This means that about half of United States citizens who are eligible and have the freedom to vote have failed to participate in presidential elections. At the end of the nineteenth century voter turnout started plummeting, reaching the 60 percent level by the election of 1912 (Teixeira, 1987). The declining rate of voter participation in the United States is due to voter registration and procedu...
Many people think of the 206 million eligible voters in the United States and think, “How could one vote possibly make a difference?” Or perhaps some find themselves too busy, while other non-voters are simply uninterested in politics. With a combination of all excuses, about 75 million people that were eligible to vote in the 2008 presidential election chose not to. That’s 75 million unheard voices! 75 million unrepresented individuals make up approximately 36% of all eligible voters. That number of people could easily change the outcome of an election. When put in perspective and fully understood, it’s realized just how important it is for every eligible voter to vote, and do so responsibly. The significance of voting is commonly misunderstood. Voting determines things from the president of the United States, to a small town mayor, to representatives, which all in turn determine everything from war, to taxes, to a child’s education. This country was politically formed into something previously unknown to the world, and with citizenship to this great country and democracy, comes great responsibility. It is a right as U.S. citizens to choose to vote or not; however, it is a duty and obligation to do so, for the sake of those who have fought, for friends and family, and for this country as a whole.
Moreover, numerous countries in the world; China, North Korea, and Saudi Arabia, do not offer their citizens such liberal democratic opportunities. For these reasons, I believe as Americans, we should feel indebted and vote, because of our enlightened Founding Fathers; George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, etc. Not only did these great men risk their lives to form this great country, but they are also largely responsible for our generations being able to enjoy these freedoms and privileges. As one could conclude furthermore, voting makes Americans feel increasingly patriotic. Because of these reason, I will continue to advocate for Americans to get registered to vote. Not only do I view voting as a privilege, but I also understand that it’s my patriotic
Americans pride themselves over living in a representative democracy, a republic in which citizens have an influence on the government. A representative democracy entails the differentiating views of all of its citizens being represented equally rather than a select few. Citizens are able to influence the government by electing representatives, they believe would foremost embody their beliefs. Voting in the United States has not invariably been a liberty granted to all citizens. Historically, white men of elite status were the sole citizens authorized vote--however--with the ratification with amendments such as: the Fifteenth, Nineteenth, and Twenty-Sixth, voting in the United States is more readily accessible to its citizens. Although countless American citizens are eligible to vote, a profuse amount do not participate in elections. Congressional elections face some of the lowest voter turnout rate. Seeing as the legislative branch of government is the closest to the public, Congress is more susceptible of being impacted by low voter
It is important to vote because you need to have a leader for the nation . Our nation is stronger together with a president.If our country did not have a president America would be in danger. The president decides if we are going to do something or not as a country. We would not have any safety in our country if we did not have a president . If America did note vote we would have lots of fights.
The United States has never required its citizens to vote in midterm and general elections. Because of that, America’s voter turnout has never been significantly high. Within the past 50 years, the presidential election has never exceeded 65%, while midterm elections have never exceeded 50% (Hudson 144). In fact, the 2014 midterm election had the smallest voter turnout since World War II. One reason of why there is a relatively low voter turnout for elections is the lack of motivation. Some citizens may think their voice may not have a significant impact in the Electoral College system, so they don’t participate at all. However,
The United States of America was a great image of democracy and equality for the early revolutionary governments, but the massive size of the country makes it illogical to assume each person should be completely involved in the government. All citizens are encouraged to vote in local, state, and federal elections. The key to our representative democracy is voting. Albeit not directly, but when voting for a particular candidate, the citizen is voting for his or her set of beliefs. When decisions are made at a later date, they are made by the representatives chosen by the public. Therefore, if an American chooses not to vote during an election, then they are choosing not to vote for any policies involving the candidates, and in turn involving the whole community. A democracy is most notably known as freedom. Freedom to choose. Americans can choose to vote and participate in the government created to protect that very freedom or they may choose not
It is important to vote in the United States. It is important to vote in the United States for many reasons. One reason voting is important because it will either help America or not help. A vote can show how you feel about the two people running for president. One vote could either be for the good or for the bad. You could vote for a certain person who seems like a good president or not, but it’s really up to your view on the person. Another reason voting is important is, your vote really does count. Your vote could change America because whoever you vote for might need that one vote to be president. Also a vote is important because other people are depending on that one vote just to make that person president,
The United of States of America is a nation largely founded on the desires of its people to participate in governmental process. Once Abraham Lincoln said, “Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.” Although, there is no government ran “by the people,” however, unless the American people appoint their public officials through free and fair elections, or simply voting. Voting is defined as a formal indication of a choice between two or more candidates or courses of action. Voting is a constitutional right and responsibility as an American citizen -- the right to voice his or her opinion in how our nation is governed and the responsibility of being informative or participating in democratic process.
An increase in political participation is necessary in this country, as the continual low voter participation means that there is a large number of people who feel that their voices are not heard and that they do not matter. And although “having a power to awe them all” is important in maintaining law and order, patriotism and loyalty is necessary to keeping that sort of system in power (Pecknold, 2010). Therefore, the state should focus on making people feel more included in political processes and the citizens should strive to make choices based on the common good of the
Have you ever been persuaded into voting? Well, you should have your own say on where your opinion goes. Voting is a right that every citizen in America over the age of 18 can do. Many people have become aware of the fact that the number of voters had reached its all time low. But as the newest voting season comes closer, we should still have a voice and the freedom to decide what we do. Which is, take a step against making America a compulsory voting country, because it proves unnecessary and there are other alternatives than mandatory voting.
The action of voting is such important role in how our country is going to be developed, especially effects on the economy, foreign relationships, society, etc. People are becoming much involved in politics, which is extraordinary because it means that the people are understanding how important their vote is and how it brings change to the issues that truly bother them. Many citizens don’t vote because they are either lazy or too busy, they either have jobs, classes, families, or other responsibilities take care of, but voting is a responsibility that should be attended. Voting could be the thing to prevent awful political leader’s to be put in office who are not focusing on what’s truly important, which is the people, which means that