Politics and Economics

Term Paper # 100566

Political Science > Election and Campaigns
Political Science > Fiscal Policy (economy)
Political Science > Lobbyists and Pressure Groups
Political Science > U.S.

This paper explores how political constraints shape domestic economic policy.

1,634 words () | 6 sources | MLA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at how the President of the United States is restrained from pursuing bold economic policy initiatives. The paper discusses the bickering interest groups who can successfully thwart economic policies that offer hope to large segments of the American population. The paper also discusses fears about electoral defeat and the frustration engendered by grappling with other branches of government as contributing factors to why elected officials always seem to do less than they should for America's poor. Copies of sources are appended to the paper.

From the Paper:

"In his excellent 1997 text, Politics and Economic Policy in the United States, Jeffrey E. Cohen writes that political pressures - interest groups, public opinion and even political action committees - all contribute in various ways to the economic policies that Presidents will enact or feel themselves compelled to enact. Seen in this light, it is clear that economic policy can very easily degenerate into the White House merely offering to Congress economic policies that are insubstantial and cosmetic - and which advance a political agenda rather than a progressive economic course of action (Cohen, 86-132). Arguably, a good example of this may be found in economic policies which focus chiefly upon income redistribution and not upon tackling the systemic or structural factors which are widening the gulf between rich and poor and contributing to high unemployment or underemployment levels."

Sample of Sources Used:

"Bush Taps Al Hubbard as National Economic Council Chairman." Congress Daily, 10 Jan. 2005: 10.
Cohen, Jeffrey E. Politics and Economic Policy in the United States. Boston: Houghton Mifflin College Division, 1997.
Glover, K. Daniel. "The Road to Presidential Veto." National Journal, 37.26 (25 Jun. 2006): 2062.
Kiefer, Francince, and Gail Russell Chaddock. "GOP Puts Massive Tax Cut in Clinton's Way." Christian Science Monitor 5 Aug. 1999: 1.
"November's $5.15 Question." Economist 1 Jul. 2006: 30-31.