Power in America Who Holds

Power in America

Who Holds the Power in America?

With the ratification of the Constitution, the United States of America was established as a Federal Republic. A Republic is a Democratic form of government in the people elect representatives to create government policy that reflects their will. Because the United States contains several independent territories, called "States," which retain a certain amount number of individual rights, there is a system of power sharing between the states and the national government called Federalism. In this way America is a Federal Republic where the power to elect those who would make public policy lies with the electorate. If one considers the policies that the federal government establishes, and the ability to pass legislation that would establish those policies, then the real power in America lies with those who are best able to organize political organizations that can bring about electoral success for those who will implement the policies favored by those organizations.

In the United States, one effect of the system of Federalism is that individual states can implement public policy that is supported by the majority of its citizens. However, the system of Federalism also guarantees that that majority cannot impose its will upon the minority by reserving powers to decide constitutionality within the federal apparatus. That means that the Federal Government ultimately can decide what is legal and what is not within a state. And even though the Constitution also guarantees certain powers to the states, the power to decide constitutionality tips the balance of power in the system in favor of the federal government. Therefore if one truly wants to influence public policy, then using the federal government is best means because its decisions must be implemented throughout the nation and not just in individual states.

Because the people's will is supposed to be implemented as governmental policy, there must be some sort of process by which the will of the people can be transmitted to those holding governmental offices. This policy making system is dependent upon a number of linkage institutions, such as "parties, elections, interest groups, and the media-[which] transmit Americans' preferences to the policymakers in government. " (Edwards, 2010, p 10) These organizations influence the policy making institutions created by the Constitution and in place to implement the various types of policies. But the relationship between the various linkage institutions, which is important in the implementation of public policy, is very complex.

There are three main theories on how the electorate can influence government policy: pluralism, elitism, hyper-pluralism. While "elitism" states that the power resides in those who come from the upper class and imposed upon those of the lower classes, the involvement of the populace as the determining factor in elections seems to indicate that the United States has a form of pluralism. Pluralism is a theory that states "…groups with shared interests influence public policy by pressing their concerns through organized effort." (Edwards, 2010, p.14) and the many linkage groups across America would seem to indicate that this theory is being carried out in practice as opposed to the hyper-pluralist theory in which pluralism runs wild and no one can agree with anyone else. Those institutions that can become organized in the most effective manner seem to be the ones who can influence the government when it comes to public policy.

Because it is the voters who must be convinced to cast their ballots for a specific candidate, candidates must campaign for office. When it comes to a campaign, it is the primary purpose of the organization to reinforce, activate, and convert voters. (Edwards, 2010, p.136) Campaigns need to reinforce voter's positive perception of a candidate, activate them into becoming involved, and attempt to convert voters "by changing voter's minds." (Edwards, 2010, p.136) in this way the best organized campaigns seem to be able to accomplish this. Another way by which those who make public policy can be influenced is by means of interest groups. While there are many factors involved in whether or not a group is effective, such as size, intensity and financial resources; those groups which can effectively lobby government, form political action committees, engage in successful litigation, and cooperate with other groups are the ones who seem the most successful.