Question

what are three ways in which our nations political process could be changed to become more responsive to problems at home and abroad

Answer 1

Unconstructive partisanship is a major issue in this country’s politics and a problem to majority of citizens both at home and abroad. This is because this kind of a situation denies many Americans the right to actively participate and elect their preferred candidates outside the major two political parties. This is due to the fact that predominance of two political parties has established barriers to entry of any third parties and independent candidates. This has drawn most boundaries in the electoral process for protecting incumbents on both sides and in essence controlling the electoral engine itself. This means that Americans both at home and abroad cannot elect their worthy candidates of choice. The two party systems is the problem here. In order to solve the problem and thus give Americans more options to choose from, reforms like removing the Electoral College, adopting non-partisan redistricting and third parties should be strengthen in order to create a bipartisan ticket. This may involve formation of a permanent third political party or avoiding the formation a third party and at the same time not focusing on any single personality.

          Currently, voting is the biggest challenge to American voters not only at home, but also abroad. These voting problems are as a result of structural constraints. Structural constraints include those structures inhibiting access to opportunities. Difficulty in voting that is created by the current system is the reason behind this, that is perhaps the reason as too why many eligible American voters do not participate in the election. For instance, the registration system is old-fashioned and anti-democratic due to the fact that it is not flexible to accommodate the registration of busy Americans at home and those abroad. It is worth noting that majority of registered voters in Americans do not make it to the polls since there is only a single day on which to cast ballot. This has seen working class having no time to participate in the ritual of our democracy. A probable solution to this problem can be found through amending the electoral laws to remove barriers to participation. This include; mandating 14 hour Election Day opening times and also providing a one week of early voting, making the voter registration automatic, creating on-line registration systems and universal vote by mail which are currently absent in the electoral process.

          Time limit is another issue that haunting the US electoral processes especially for the election of politicians especially the legislators. While the time limit for presidency stands at two terms, legislators also need to have a term limit. This is due to the fact that currently, with no restriction to term limit and these legislators having power and influence on elections, they can continues serving longer term just because they win elections. This is a major concern since there is always a need for fresh blood in these offices and by the long serving legislators still holding on to power when they have nothing new to offer, this is a problem to American citizens who have new challenges to be looked into. In order to solve this problem, the electoral laws should be amended to legal limits on the number of terms the legislators may serve. While those opposing term limits argue that it is unreasonable and unnecessary restriction on the rights of both candidates and voters, it is to be noted that many legislators have served long have nothing new to offer but since they have the power and influence, they have advantages over young and new aspirants who might bring fresh blood and steer changes and reforms.

References

CHAPTER EIGHT. Electoral Perturbations and Electoral Independence: Stewardship, Partisanship, and Accountability. (n.d.). Popular Efficacy in the Democratic Era. doi:10.1515/9781400849451.180

Pierce, R. (2003). Modelling electoral second choices: thwarted voters in the United States, France, and Russia. Electoral Studies, 22(2), 265-285. doi:10.1016/s0261-3794(02)00015-x