The Government of the United States

Paper Summary:

The paper examines "Patterns of Democracy," by the political theorist Arend Lijphart. The paper looks at Lijphart's theories of the flaws in the American system of government and contends that, although the United States may not be a perfect model for the Middle East, neither is the consensus model. The paper explains how Iraq is based upon tribal schisms even more divisive than those which faced America during the Civil War or the Civil Rights movements. The paper maintains that a majoritarian government with a strong central rule may be necessary for Iraq to function effectively, even if it does not give voice to every possible interest within the nation.

From the Paper:

"At the beginning of his book, Patterns of Democracy, the political theorist Arend Lijphart cites Abraham Lincoln's definition of a democracy as a government for the people, by the people. (Lijphart, p.1) Yet analyzing the United States as a representative democracy, whereby persons elected by an entity nebulously defined as 'the people' purport to represent the popular interests, the theorist is immediately confronted by a series of contradictions. Lijipart can only resolve these contradictions by constructing a more narrow definition of what constitutes democracy, namely its manifestation into either majoritarian or consensus-based models."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Douglas, Carol Anne, Jennifer Chapin Harris, & Melissa Dalton. "Iraq: governing council votes to adopt sharia family law." Off Our Backs. Jan/Feb 2004. [ 3 Oct2006] http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3693/is_200401/ai_n9402356
• Lijphart, Arend. Patterns of Democracy. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1999."Outline of the U.S. Government." 2006. U.S. Information: State Government. [3 Oct 2006] http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/outusgov/
• "Timeline of African-American History." 2006 [3 Oct 2006] http://rs6.loc.gov/ammem/aap/timeline.html

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