US Politics
Politics in the United States of America has always been a long and complicated process, to say the least. As the nation is divided into two main political parties, Republican and Democrat, the civil servant government is consequently split among each opposing side, resulting in continuous debate and discourse between the two factions. The kind of US politics that exists today, however, has been through many changes over time. The views and opinions about American politics today differ greatly in comparison to the past, and this article will explore what US politics used to look like, the current state of American politics, and where the future of American Politics is headed.
The History of US Politics
The United States political history is seemingly filled with divide, going as far back as the American Revolution. Prior to independence, the American colonists had been ruled by Britain’s monarchy, and after gaining their autonomy, the individuals opted to adopt a simpler system of governance, à la the United States Constitution. This document served as the nation’s guideline for how power and governance were distributed, along with a system of checks and balances to ensure the nation’s citizens had a say in the government’s decision-making.
The Constitution established the nation’s three branches of government; executive, legislative, and judicial, which were initially served by individual political parties or factions. In the beginning, the Democratic-Republicans were the majority, headed by Thomas Jefferson. This party was based on states’ rights, agrarianism, the lack of a large federal government, and investments in infrastructure like roads and canals. The other major faction, the Federalists, was essentially the opposite, favoring a strong central government, protectionist policies, e.g. tariffs, and banking systems.
Early 19th Century Politics
In the early 1800s, the two original American political parties morphed into the modern Democratic and Republican Parties, with ideologies much similar to the modern day. By the time the 19th century came around, the United States had seen several changes and political developments ranging from the War of 1812 to Jacksonian Democracy, introducing new facets to American politics. Prior to the 1820s, the Federalist party had completely disbanded, leaving the Democratic and Republican Parties as the two main factions in US politics.
The Democrats had adopted the ideologies of Jefferson, mainly emphasizing individual liberties and states’ rights, and later, they went on to embrace the ideology of Jacksonian Democracy, placing a larger emphasis on giving common, non-elite citizens a voice in the government. On the other hand, the Republicans were mainly protective and selective towards the nation’s economic activity, promoting the industrialization and growth of the US. The two parties remained relatively divided until the Civil War, at which point both sides had largely adopted the ideologies of the Antebellum era.
Gilded Age and Beyond
At the end of the Civil War, the United States was transformed into a heavily industrialized and commercialized nation, going through dramatic changes in the economic and social spheres. This period of American history came to be known as the Gilded Age and proved to have a wide range of divisive effects on politics. While the Democrats largely remained loyal to their earlier ideologies, the Republicans virtually moved to the complete opposite side of the spectrum and began to focus on economic growth and prosperity, taking a heavier stance on nationalistic policies. This eventually gave birth to what’s known as Modern American Conservatism, which would become the main driving force in Republican politics while the two parties remained on two distinct sides of the political spectrum.
20th Century US Politics
By the beginning of the 20th century, US politics had become much more diverse as a result of a wide variety of new groups and ideologies influencing the nation’s government. Specifically, the entry of African-Americans into politics and other aspects of US society had a dramatic effect on the nation’s politics, bringing much needed change and altering the two-party system. This was further solidified by the passage of the 19th Amendment, giving citizens, regardless of gender, the right to vote. With more of the nation’s citizens now having a direct voice in the government, the two-party system was further tested.
The period between the WWI and WWII saw the emergence of various other political groups and movements in the US as a result of diverse interests and opinions, including the rise of the Klan, the Second Great Awakening, Prohibition, and the Depression. It was during this period that the US government was scrutinized by both sides of the political spectrum, as many Americans were dissatisfied with the nation’s leadership and direction. This phenomenon remained consistent as the US entered a Post-WWII period and later into the Cold War, making it clear that Americans had not only grown tired with the two-party structure but also disagreed with the direction its leaders have taken the nation.
Modern Politics and the Presidency
In recent decades, the American political landscape has shifted significantly and is still in a state of evolution. The nation’s citizens are now heavily divided by a plethora of new issues in the 21st century, ranging from health care, immigration, foreign policy, and gun control to national debt levels, economic policy, and taxation. Within this division, the opinions and ideologies of America’s citizens have become more diverse, resulting in the continuous emergence of several new, third-party movements and organizations.
The power of the US presidency has grown significantly in the 21st century and has become the central figure in modern US politics. With the executive branch of government having the power to appoint judges, provide leadership on a range of matters like the Affordable Care Act, create legislation on a host of issues, and influence foreign policy, the president of America has become one of the most powerful positions in the world.
The Federal Government and US Politics
The US federal government plays a major role in US politics and has wide-ranging influence in the nation. From setting taxes to deciding on the nation’s immigration and healthcare policies, the federal government is heavily involved in the everyday lives of citizens. In recent years, the federal government has seen an increase in pressure from both sides of the political aisle with different views on the topics of immigration, taxes, climate change, and foreign policy. This pressure has led to more partisan-based decisions and ultimately, more disagreements and tension between the two dominant political factions in the nation.
Future of American Politics
As the United States continues to evolve and its citizens become more politically engaged, the dynamics of US politics is likely to undergo a radical transformation in the future. With new civil unrest and the introduction of outsiders like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and groups such as the Tea Party, the nation’s politics are sure to take on a new form in the next few years. If current trends continue, the two-party system may finally be dethroned as the main form of US politics, allowing an influx of new and diverse thoughts and ideas to finally stack up against the two dominant parties’ policies.
To sum it up, US politics has seen a tremendous amount of changes since the nation first gained independence, and these changes will only continue as the nation and its citizens evolve. With the two-party system seeming to crumble and new factions appearing, the future of US politics is sure to be drastically different from what it currently is. Only time will tell what kind of transformation it will undergo, but one thing is certain: US politics will ongoingly remain an ongoing arena of debate between the different sides of America’s citizens.
