Short answer 1 POLS

.docx

School

Texas Tech University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

2306

Subject

Political Science

Date

Feb 20, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

3

Uploaded by DrRedPanda2952

Sovereignty is a fundamental concept in political science, representing the supreme authority and autonomy that a government holds over its territory and people. It is the ultimate power to make and enforce laws, govern its citizens, maintain order, conduct foreign relations, and exercise control within its recognized borders. It involves the consolidation of various governing bodies into a unified entity responsible for making decisions on issues. This governing entity wields complete autonomy and is free from external influences in its decision-making processes. To illustrate this concept, one can consider the power wielded by a monarch over their subjects, as in the case of a king and his people. Essentially, the purpose of government revolves around safeguarding its citizens and maintaining law and order within the nation. Federalism, on the other hand, refers to the constitutional distribution of power between the United States government and the various state governments within the United States. It can be understood as the binding together of states' powers under a single overarching sovereignty. Federalism emerged in the United States as an integral component of American democracy when the nation was grappling with a weak central government. In response, the Congress passed a resolution in 1787 to convene a meeting for amending the Articles of Confederation. Consequently, delegates began to explore a completely new form of government: federalism. The American Constitution drafted in 1789, ensured the existence of distinct spheres of authority for both the federal and state governments. States assumed responsibilities such as managing water systems, public education, and conducting elections, among other duties. Meanwhile, the federal government took on tasks like levying taxes, regulating commerce, trade, and more. This division of powers between the federal and state levels is a cornerstone of the American political system.
Elazar asserted that there are dual dimensions to political culture in the United States. He identified a national political culture rooted in two contrasting political orientations. The primary perspective views the political system as a marketplace, where parties and interests negotiate to secure benefits for their constituents based on individual responsibility. The second perspective conceives the political system as a coalition, where groups set aside their individual interests to find solutions that serve the common good. This fundamental achievement is realized through a consensus on shared ethical principles. Within the national framework, there exist three distinct political subcultures: individualistic, moralistic, and traditionalistic. Individualistic political culture perceives politics as a marketplace where competing individual interests utilize the political system to advance their personal agendas. Politicians and citizens in this culture are not driven by the pursuit of a "just society" or the common good; instead, they prioritize private matters. In the individualistic political culture, politics is often seen as a murky endeavor best left to professionals, and citizens are not encouraged to actively engage in civic activities but rather to participate through voting.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help