USA democratic participation

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

In the US citizens are given many opportunities to participate in politics. The rights of all Americans are enshrined in the constitution, especially in Amendments 1-10 which are called the Bill of Rights. Participation of citizens includes voting, standing as a candidate and joining an interest group. This essay will argue that citizens can participate in the democratic process to a low extent.

Question 2

P-Voting is one of the main ways for citizens to participate.
Explain-

Answer 2

They can vote to elect a president, representatives for House of Senate and Congress as well as a wide range of state and local officials.

Question 3

Voting is one of the main ways for citizens to participate.
Evidence-

Answer 3

For example, in 2020 there was a record number of 160 million votes in the presidential election.

Question 4

Voting is one of the main ways for citizens to participate.
analyse the fact-

Answer 4

This suggests that the US electoral system is an important way for voters to express their views on a wide range of issues including the economy, immigration and public services, as well as the US Government’s record on managing the Covid pandemic.

Question 5

Voting is not a main way for citizens to participate.
P-

Answer 5

voter turn out has historically been low in the USA.

Question 6

Voting is not a main way for citizens to participate.
Explain-

Answer 6

The record number of 160 million votes in 2020 was only 65% turn out.
This could be because of voter suppression stopping citizens from voting.

Question 7

Voting is not a main way for citizens to participate.
evidence-

Answer 7

For example, Americans must have photo identification to be allowed to vote.
In 2016, not having photo ID barred 9% of black and 9% of Latinos from voting.

Question 8

voting is not a main way for citizens to participate.
analyse fact-

Answer 8

This shows how many people of ethnic minorities could struggle participate because of difficult paperwork.

Question 9

voting
Link-

Answer 9

Overall, voting does not allow citizens to participate in the democratic process as the constitutional rights fail to protect the right to vote causing citizens to participate in the democratic process to only a low extent.

Question 10

P- Standing as a candidate in elections is another important way citizens can participate in the democratic process.
Explain-

Answer 10

Any American citizen born in the US, over 35 years of age and who has lived in the US for the past 14 years can stand for election as President.
Traditionally, women and people from ethnic minorities are less likely to stand as a candidate in election.
This is due to gender and ethnic based discrimination.

Question 11

standing as a candidate
Evidence-

Answer 11

For example, in 2020 under one quarter of the members of congress were women and only 22% were non-white compared to 40% of citizens being non-white.

Question 12

standing as a candidate.
Analyse the fact-

Answer 12

This highlights how discrimination limits citizens opportunities to stand as a candidate.

Question 13

standing as a candidate not democratic.
P-

Answer 13

However, although still disproportionately low, there are more women and ethnic minority members of congress than ever before.

Question 14

standing as a candidate not democratic.
Evidence-

Answer 14

For example, Kamala Harris is the first female vice president, first black vice president and first VP of south Asian descent.

Question 15

standing as a candidate not democratic
analyse the fact-

Answer 15

This demonstrates how US politics is becoming more representative therefore democratic participation is widening.

Question 16

overall standing as a candidate.

Answer 16

Overall, the opportunity to stand as a candidate in elections only allows citizens to participate in the democratic process to a low extent due to many discriminative opinions.

Question 17

P- Interest groups are another main way for citizens to participate in the democratic process.
Explain-

Answer 17

Interest groups lobby the government on behalf of their members.
They can shape policies by influencing elected representatives.

Question 18

Interest groups are another main way for citizens to participate in the democratic process.
Evidence-

Answer 18

For example, Planned Parenthood has 11 million members and successfully changed policy in the famous Roe versus Wade case.

Question 19

Interest groups are another main way for citizens to participate in the democratic process.
analyse the fact-

Answer 19

This shows that with enough support interest groups are an effective way for citizens to participate in the democratic process.

Question 20

interest groups don’t allow democratic participation.
R-

Answer 20

The impact of each interest group is limited to their funding budget.

Question 21

Interest groups dont allow democratic participation.
explain-

Answer 21

interest groups lobby the government as their main way to change policies but without sufficient money these groups are unable to fund their chosen representative.

Question 22

Interest groups dont allow for democratic participation.
evidence-

Answer 22

The National Rifle Association has 5.5 million members and they managed to prevent many gun control measures.
In 2016 they did this by funding $30 million towards Trumps campaign.

Question 23

interest groups don’t allow for democratic participation
analyse the facts-

Answer 23

This is damaging to democracy as the most powerful groups have more influence over representatives than elections.
This suggests that groups with less money have less worthy issues in the eyes of American politics.

Question 24

overall, interest groups

Answer 24

Overall, Interest groups are the easiest way for citizens to participate in the democratic process however they can only have their opinions considered if they have lots of money therefore making it only a to certain extent that citizens can participate in the democratic process.