Explores the role of big business and PoliticalActionCommittee's in America's politics, concentrating on the influence wielded by the tobacco industry and trial lawyers.
1,385 words (approx. 5.5 pages), 6 sources, 2000, $ 46.95
Abstract This paper explores the ramifications of party funding by business and PoliticalActionCommittees through an investigation into the Supreme Court's revocation of the FDA's right to regulate the tobacco industry. It explores the historical involvement of the FDA with the industry, through to the stances taken by the Democratic and the Republican parties after revocation. It investigates the reasons behind Big Tobacco funding the Republican party, and the Trial Lawyers' PAC contributing so heavily to the Democratic coffers in the 2000 presidential campaign.
From the Paper "It is a sad fact that less than 50% of Americans vote. The reasons behind this non-participation are myriad, ranging from the view that traditional parties are out of touch with the needs of modern-day society, to the inconvenience of attending mid-week daytime voting stations. One common complaint is the effect of party funding by big business and by Political Action Committees, since the practice implies that money rather than votes wields political influence."
Abstract This is a 10-page paper on PAC's and describes the action and need of PAC's in America. It also argues that they are needed and presents views against in a complete research paper.
A look at the history of the development of PoliticalActionCommittees (PACs), how they operate, and what are the disadvantages and difficulties of having a political system influenced by them.
1,362 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 4 sources, 1999, $ 45.95
From the Paper "With the advent of the information age, and with the virtual necessity of the use of these new media to disseminate information, elections are becoming ever more costly. The 1982 election, an off-year election, cost over $240 Million to conduct. Politicians are scurrying to find new funding sources. A recent trend has been the increase in the proportion of election expenses covered by Political Action Committees, or PACs. These groups represent a group of people with common interests who "want to advance a specific political agenda by contributing to candidates who share their views." PACs are a potent financial tool in elections. The sources of PAC money are manifold and multifarious; many types of PACs exist. As a corollary, many have called into question whether high campaign contributors indeed influence the policies of the candidate in their favor. Further, with the abundance of soft money, campaign contributions are becoming ever more difficult to track or to regulate."
Tags:action, campaign, committee, government, political
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that the American Medical Association (AMA) first arose as a loose association of medical professionals and scientists in 1847. The writer points out that the group was intended to increase the standards of medical and biological education in North America, but was considered both impractical and utopian by many. The writer then looks at the mission of the organization today and discusses the politicalactioncommittee's activities. The writer maintains that from Medicare to animal testing to malpractice insure, the AMA and the American Medical Association politicalactioncommittee, which are, for all intents and purposes, one in the same, have served their beneficiaries as well as possible, through lobbying and outward pressure. The writer concludes that their methods may have brimmed over the line of constitutionality at points, but that should not mar the AMA's record because, as a politicalactioncommittee, it has done all in its power to legally and persuasively enact legislature to assist America's doctors.
From the Paper "Current president of the AMA, Ronald M. Davis, gave a speech in 2005, which highlighted the organization's illustrious history more than any political or economic agendas. At Smith Davis's initial meeting, over two hundred and fifty delegates from twenty-eight states voted to elect Nathanial Chapman the organization's first president. His first actions included those that would be deemed necessary by burgeoning doctors; the condemnation of secretive and patent medicine, which robbed business, and the establishment of a code of medical ethics and the world's first Committee on Medical Ethics to enforce the doctrines. By the end of the nineteenth century, the groundwork had been laid for the organization's present political sphere of influence."
Abstract This paper explains that a pressure group, sometimes referred to as an interest group, is a set of individuals organized for the purpose of influencing public policy; a subset of pressure groups is the politicalactioncommittee created for the main purpose of receiving donations, from corporations, trade unions and other similar sources, to candidates aspiring to Federal office because, in the U.S., candidates cannot receive these donations directly. The author points out that there are two main types of pressure groups: (1) The private interest group, which unusually represents a particular economic, social or ethnic section of society promoting certain aspects of interest such as manufacturers, and (2) the cause groups with select issues or ideology such as the environment. The paper relates that pressure groups have three significant access points from where they can attempt to influence the decisions made by the Federal government: The Congress, the bureaucracy and officials that make up the executive and, in a small way, the judiciary.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Nature of Pressure Groups in the United States of America
Main Activities of Pressure Groups
Impact of PoliticalAction Group Committees on the U.S. Elections
Conclusion
From the Paper "The presidential elections of 2004 were to large extent influenced by the political action committees and the areas of influence were to be seen in voter turnout, endorsements of the candidates and contributions to the campaigns. The underlying evaluation of the role that the political action committees play in any election is to have a general appreciation of the relationship between money and interests and federal regulations. Political Action Committees and their roles were clearly defined in the early 1970's by the Federal Election Campaign Acts. These regulations came after some very long and torturous legislative battles. The campaign finance laws are at the moment regulated by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act -- BCRA of 2002. Current day analysis of political action committees does question the undue influence that some of these political action committees have and their new tactics that involve direct campaigns and group representation."
Abstract In this article, the writer explains that the form of the society shapes the way politics is pursued in that society and this occurs at several levels. The writer discusses that a social order can be matriarchal or patriarchal, which would represent how gender is manifested in politicalaction. The form of government has an influence, with politicalaction being different for a democracy as opposed to a more authoritative system. The writer discusses that the prevalent religion may affect politics, more so in a theocratic system than one that tries to separate politics and religion, though even in the latter case religion has an influence. The writer also discusses how leadership style affects politics, with some styles being more authoritative and so restrictive of politicalaction, while others are more freewheeling and so encouraging to politicalaction. Indeed, arguably the leadership style that is found in a society is one of the best indicators of what sort of politics the society will manifest, for a democratic leader emerges from a very different sort of political structure than a dictator. Different types of leadership and different social structures are considered in this paper as they impact politics.
Introduction
Gender
Group Dynamics
Cognitive and Moral Development
Psychological Development
Conclusion
From the Paper "Certainly, this colors the concept of politics by making the male the natural participant in politics and by denying that role to the female, a theme repeated in society after society. In our own society, for instance, women were treated as chattel and were not given the right to vote or even to participate in most commerce outside the home. Many see this as a universal situation, while others raise doubts. Harris considers the issue of whether male supremacy is universal. This question is at the heart of the gender-role shifts taking place in Western societies, with the view that the traditional social structure saw male supremacy as a given while contemporary Western society is at least questioning that idea if not becoming openly antithetical to it. Harris cautions that it is not possible to go from the statement that women are subordinate as regards political authority in most societies to the statement that women are subordinate in all respects in all societies."
Abstract This paper details the roles of lobbying, campaign contributions, politicalactioncommittees and the role of personal influence in the political arena. Specifically, the paper looks at how corporations use these areas to influence government. A study of lobby and contribution expenditures of 1998 is done as well as brief historical perspectives on PACs and personal influence. It is concluded that if the present trends continue, corporate America will, in effect, own the U. S. government lock, stock and barrel.
Abstract In 2004, John M. McHugh won the race for representation of the 23rd District of the State of New York in the U.S. House of Representatives. This paper analyzes McHugh's campaign finance record, particularly with respect to the 2004 election. The paper also analyzes the contributions of specific PoliticalActionCommittees (PACs).
From the Paper "The trends in McHugh's fundraising record show that the majority of his money comes from PACs, but a substantial amount also comes from individuals. Also, in the first two House election cycles in which he ran, he raised substantially less money than he did in later years. I propose that this is due to the fact that as time went on, he became better established both in Washington and as a liaison to his district. His establishment within Washington and within his district allowed him to raise more money than his challenger, and this is why, in short, he prospered at the polls (Mann 75)."
Abstract This paper is the examination of findings of the Security and Exchange Commission's (SEC), Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) that was formed in September of 1998 to address concerns about various accounting practices. The committee's report, detailing their ten recommendations and the results they hoped to achieve, are examined in detail. The report was issued in February 1999, an since then several rules, regulations and standards have been enacted in the spirit of the committee's recommendations.
From the Paper "The Blue Ribbon Committee's report entitled Report and Recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Committee on Improving the Effectiveness of Corporate Audit Committees was issued in February 1999 and consisted of two sections (Grant Thorton). First, ten recommendations for actions to be taken by regulatory or standard setting bodies, such as the AICPA, SEC, NYSE, and NASD were presented (Grant Thorton). Second, five guiding principles for best practices that may be used by companies as building blocks in developing audit committee processes and practices were discussed (Grant Thorton). "
Abstract This paper studies the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations. The paper describes the Committee's function to oversee expenditures and examines the degree to which the Committee wield real power over the national budget's purse strings. The paper focuses on the 105th Congress, detailing membership, leadership and issues faced by the Committee.
From the Paper "Because of its large amount of work, the U.S. Senate divides its functions among committees. Each committee has its own guidelines and adopts its own rules. The chair of each committee and a majority of its members control the work of the committee and hire its..."
Abstract This paper explains that affirmative action is a moral and political question which seems to divide Americans more than it unites them, because some people regard it as a program designed to rectify racism and reverse the effects of both past and present discrimination but others simply see it as another form of discrimination. The author feels that affirmative action is a program of opportunity, not a program of discrimination; affirmative action's mission has never been about hiring less qualified workers, but about opening up equal opportunity and ensuring that equal opportunity with equal results. The paper stresses that diversity in education and the workforce not only includes African-American men and women but also includes other ethnicity groups, such as Asians, Latinos and Indians, who have been able to gain both an invaluable education and work experience through affirmative action programs.
Table of Contents
Educational Aspects of Affirmative Action Affirmative Action in the Workforce
The Counter-Argument against Affirmative Action Conclusion
From the Paper "These policies have been when minorities are actively sought or preferred, the reason given is usually that this is necessary to compensate for advantages to groups such as males or those of European descent from racism, sexism, results of historical circumstances, and institutional racism. In the U.S., the most prominent form of affirmative action centers on access to education, particularly admission to universities and other forms of tertiary instruction. Race, ethnicity, native language, social class, geographical origin, parental attendance of the university in question (legacy admissions), and/or gender are often taken into account when assessing the meaning of an applicant's grades and test scores."
An analysis of Stephen Skowronek's theory of presidential leadership and political time in his book "The Politics Presidents Make", applied to the Bush administration's handling of the war in Iraq.
Abstract This paper examines the concept of presidential leadership and the theory of political time delineated in Stephen Skowronek's "The Politics Presidents Make". The idea of political time means first that the given president is situated at different points in the life-cycle of a given political regime and, second, that presidents stand in different relation to the dominant political regime and its "regime party." The paper also focuses on what Skowronek calls "orthodox-innovators", or leaders whose actions are strongly influenced by the ulterior motives of his regime. The paper considers how this applies to the current war in Iraq and to the actions of George W. Bush in taking the U.S. into that war. It concludes that this issue has been much argued since the start of that war and will continue to be discussed far into the future, not simply until the war ends but long after as historians and others seek to understand the rationale for this war.
Outline:
Introduction
Political Time
Political Regime
The Orthodox-Innovator
Iraq
From the Paper "Skowronek identifies the orthodox-innovator as a "faithful son," meaning not a son of a political leader but a son of a political party, movement, or regime that shapes the faithful son's political leanings and career. These are also the presidents who are associated with "a resilient set of governmental commitments" (Skowronek 41). The presidents considered here all fit the mold, meaning James Monroe, James K. Polk, Theodore Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush. All emerged from a political tradition they could be expected to support and yet that they in part denied as they pursued their little wars, often in order to assert American power not just to other countries but domestically as well, supposedly correcting earlier failures to do so and thus affirming the strengths their followers want supported, or doing so to counter charges by the opposition of weakness. It is considered less surprising when a Republican president affirms American power by engaging in a military action, for instance, while a Democratic president might do so just to show that the view that Democratic leaders are not able to handle the need for a military response."
Abstract This paper discusses Julius Caesar and the legitimate principles of politicalaction. What makes this play so complex is that the political and moral outlooks of the main characters are opposed to their actual positions and actions. Right motives and noble principles are found where evil should be easily identified.
Abstract This paper compares critically the political cultures of Sweden and the United States, illuminating theories of politics such as Conservatism, Liberalism, Social Democracy among other doctrines in modern times. Arguments are used about definitions of culture, the difficulty in defining culture, political life, emotions, perception and indeed politicalaction as well as the complex character of decision-making within the state. Some case studies by authors are examined to highlight the application of some theories such as Ethnomethodology, Postmodernism and Symbolic Interactionism.
From the Paper "Donald Hancock , et al, (1998) stated that the political culture in Sweden went through a process of change during the nineteenth and twentieth Centuries and that this process of system change is both cause and effect of a political culture that affirms traditional values and simultaneously endorses efforts at political creativity. Hancock, et al, noted that linking these attributes is a willingness among political actors to seek compromise solutions to partisan disagreements. They continue to state that the most important traditional element inherent in Swedish political culture is a deeply ingrained respect for constitutionalism and law."
Abstract This paper tells the story of the controversy that surrounded the San Francisco Bay Area proposal to build a mass transit system aimed at connecting new suburbs to existing cities. The story is recounted from the beginning of the planning stage to the outcome of one community's fight against the transit authorities. The paper considers the effects that the unrest and politicalaction happening across the United States had on the efforts to build the transit system, the effects of the dramatic suburbanization of the country, which resulted in a subsequent boom in the construction of transportation infrastructure, and the racial, economic, ethnic, and political issues that highlighted the controversy. Includes an analysis of the political climate at the time and the efforts of political groups, such as the Black Panthers.
From the Paper "Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is the primary public transportation system within the Bay Area. It connects residents in three separate counties and covers numerous different cities. However, a great deal of controversy surrounded BART during its creation and construction in the 1960?s. The most heated debate occurred in the neighborhood of West Oakland, one of Oakland's poorest minority communities. West Oakland residents complained of BART's intrusion in their neighborhood, from the intrusive system lines that divided the community to the numerous residents BART officials displaced and alienated. The battle that developed between BART officials and West Oakland residents was about more than BART's invasion of West Oakland; the debate encompassed many difficult issues facing the Bay Area, as well as the nation, at the time. This paper attempts to tell the story of this controversy, from the BART's beginnings to the outcome of West Oakland's fight against BART."
