Explain whether the division between Democrats and Republicans today ultimately leads to important debates
Explain whether the division between Democrats and Republicans today ultimately leads to important debates
Discussion 2: The Impact of Partisanship
President George Washington noted in his famous Farewell Address in 1796 about political parties “likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion” (Washington’s Farewell Address).
In an era of political partisanship that has led to seemingly never-ending gridlock on Capitol Hill in the United States, one might ask whether President Washington’s famous comments have come to fruition.
With these thoughts in mind:
BY DAY 4
Post your view of the wisdom of Washington’s comments. Analyze the impact of the current partisan environment on public policy. Include whether this partisanship is a deleterious “new normal” that undermines the national public policy process. Explain whether the division between Democrats and Republicans today ultimately leads to important debates about policy prescriptions that result in better-designed policy proposals.
Solution Preview
The political division between the republicans and democrats is brought about by differing agendas within the parties and people’s representatives. According to George Washington in his farewell speech, the rivalry in the American politics is contributed by the personal interests of the leaders who will do anything to remain in power. That explains why Americans never witness any change in governance regardless of whether it is a democrat or republican in power. The war between these two parties is based on which side can perform better when given the chance (Mickey, 2011). There is, however, no much difference whether a republican or democrat gets the top seat and that has brought the people together as they have evolved to find better solutions to their situations.
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