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Improving Political Knowledge of the US System of Government

The term "politics" describes how governments work within their own countries and within the international arena. Throughout the world, countries have their own unique political systems that determine who rules, how decisions are made and how they are enforced. While some nations are democracies, such as the US, a number of other political systems exist throughout the world. Because politics includes such a wide scope of information, this article will focus on the system of American politics, including a brief overview of other types of political systems.

The Necessity of Politics
Because nations are comprised of many people with conflicting ideas, having an agreed upon system of governance is important to a nation's survival. Depending on the system, some leaders forcefully take over rule while others have to be elected by the nation's citizens. When it came time for the US to establish its own form of government independent from the British monarchy (late 1700s), the nation's founders wrote a constitution that established a limited democracy.

Ways to Improve Your Political Knowledge
Aside from taking history classes, you can enhance your political awareness in a number of ways. Some tips for gaining a keener sense of politics include:

• listening to news radio
• reading the newspaper, especially a few to get a variety of perspectives
• watching news magazine shows (such as Dateline, 60 Minutes, 20/20 etc.)
• watching CNN.

The most important aspect is to consult a variety of sources and mediums. Learning about politics from prominent politicians and political commentators is tricky, though. Because politics is a necessarily biased subject, getting a balanced view to understand the pros and cons of an issue, candidate, policy or platform can only come from taking in different opinions and sources.

An Overview of the US Government System
Learning about the US's national and international policies starts with understanding of its political system. When the nation's founders wrote the Constitution, they intended to draw up a basic outline for government. The original signers knew that problems would arise that would require new laws, laws to be changed and a structure to maintain order and justice.

However, coming up with a system that wasn't too decentralized ("every man to himself") nor too centralized (placing all of the power in a single person's hands) was a delicate matter. To find the perfect balance between these two extremes, they divided the government into three branches. None of these branches have power over another, but all of them work together in a system of checks and balances, meaning that the power was divided so that each branch had some power while another branch it in check.

The three branches of government include:

• Executive: The president, who serves as Commander in Chief of the Armed forces, leads the executive branch. This branch's power lies in the ability to wage war (deploy troops), veto laws and appoint judges.

• Judicial: Led by the Supreme Court, the judicial branch hears cases and interprets the laws passed by Congress and signed by the president.

• Legislative: Made up of Congress (the Senate and the House of Representatives), the legislative branch writes laws, confirms judicial appointments and the sole power to declare war.

The Constitution (as well as the Declaration of Independence) also guarantees the right of free election. Although the president appoints some governmental positions, every citizen of voting age (who isn't a convicted felon) has the right to vote for the president, senators and congressmen.

Political Parties: Democrats vs. Republicans
Most people who run for office are affiliated with one of the two major political parties, the Democratic or Republican party. While Democrats tend to hold to left wing, more liberal political ideas, the Republicans usually uphold right wing, more conservative political ideas. When election time rolls around, many are particularly concerned with which political party will hold the presidency, as well as the majority in the House and the Senate.

Left Wing Political Ideas
Left wing political ideas refer a segment of the political spectrum associated with socialism, social democracy or liberalism. In its most extreme form, the "left" is made up of communism and anarchism.

However, in US politics, left wing ideology refers to social reform, government-funded social programs, environmentalism and a critical eye to big business. While left wing Americans glorify personal choice and relaxed regulation on social affairs, they are also adamant about strict regulation of corporations. Democrats also tend to be pro-choice and pro-homosexual rights.

According to the National Democratic Committee, the three ideals of the party are:

• prosperity: maintaining economic growth
• progress: having a deep social impact
• peace: securing democratic values and finding peaceful alternatives to war.

Right Wing Political Ideas
Right wing political ideas are less concerned with the individual, working more toward what is best for the greater good. Extreme cases of the "right" are totalitarianism and dictatorships. The Republican party embraces some of the concepts of the right in a more diluted form. These people are generally known as conservatives.

In opposition to Democrats, Republicans believe in stricter social control and less regulation on big business. Conservatives tend to be pro-life and against gay rights. Rather than embrace social change, right wing political ideals seek to maintain the status quo.

Other Political Systems
Here is a brief description of other political systems around the world:

• communism: the communist party runs the government, and private property is collectively owned. Countries under communist rule include Cuba and China.
  
  
• monarchy: a king or queen's (or a set of royal institutions) rule. Currently, the Bahamas, Thailand and the United Kingdom are all monarchies.
  
  
• theocracy: the Church (and, by extension, divine power) is in charge of the government. Iran, Israel and Saudi Arabia are all theocracies.