Political Science

[Name of the Institute]

Political Science

SECTION 1: Is the United States a hope or a failure? Ideas, Institutions and Individuals

It this section of the paper I will be analyzing the current political structure of the United States. The present political structure of the country is influenced by a number of variables which includes economical, social, environmental, and Homeland Security.

Ideas

Major domestic policy issues will be parked until after the presidential election in November 2012, undercutting market confidence and strengthening the media trope of government 'dysfunctionality' common in 2011. Yet federal authorities remain capable of responding with alacrity to any systemic risks emerging from the euro-area or elsewhere; the political system, while heavily polarized, remains far more resilient and effective in addressing genuine crises than commonly understood. Political debate during the election season will revolve around the best means to reduce joblessness and execute the near-universally acknowledged need for a medium-term fiscal consolidation plan indeed, the primary struggle between Republicans and Democrats will be on the balance between revenue increases and budget cuts. Increasing income and wealth inequality, highlighted by the 'Occupy Wall Street' movement in 2011, will play a role in this debate.

Institutions and Individuals

The pre-election year contest for the Republican nomination has been colorful. Expected contenders declined to run, others have been courted but have declined, and one new entrant (Texas Governor Rick Perry) had a meteoric rise and fall. However, the Republican establishment appears to be closing ranks behind Romney, on the grounds that he would be the strongest candidate against Obama. Romney's advantages are considerable but frequently overstated. Having been overhyped on his entry to the race, Perry may have been buried too swiftly by the media. The money he has raised and his status as the sole 'southern candidate' still count in his favor. The crucial early part of the Republican caucus and primary calendar in 2012 is not especially favorable to Romney (The Associated Press, 2011). He does not (for now) seem to think it worth forcefully fighting the Iowa caucus (dominated by ideologically committed Republican activists), and a 'tea party' contender seems likely to win there. Romney should take the New Hampshire primary comfortably and win the relatively insignificant Nevada caucus, but may struggle in the historically pivotal South Carolina primary. If Perry wins there, he may be able to capture enough support in other southern contests to keep the contest alive through March (Schmidt, Shelley, Bardes, Ford, 2011).

While Romney is likely to emerge as the victor once North-eastern and Pacific coast states come into play, the longer that Perry remains in the race, the more likely it is that Romney will make concessions to conservatives on key policy issues. In the general election, much depends on the extent to which the economy (especially unemployment) is perceived as the dominant issue and whether Romney can keep the Republican message focused on jobs rather than be distracted by issues of concern to party activists, such as dismantling federal government structures or championing social conservatism. If unemployment remains high, ...