American Politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

American Politics - Essay Example A special attention is paid to the main role of mass media played in the formation of public opinion. In the process of election public opinion plays one of the most important roles. Officials to be elected should develop their electoral policies in accordance with shifted accents of basic public demands concerning the size of the government. For example, public policy may exert influence on development of liberal principles or democratic policies. Government responds to the needs shaped by the public opinion, because public opinion plays an important role in further development of policies (Jones, McDemott, 2009). Citizens have their strong beliefs that the Congress chosen by them would fulfill their needs and demands. Moreover, public opinion is investigated by sociologists and many other researchers in order to evaluate the needs of the citizens and make an analysis of further policies development. In terms of democracy, governmental responsiveness to public opinion is one of the basic pillars. On the other hand, if public opinion establishes broad parameters for the country’s policies and the policy entrepreneurs have a chance to develop their policies in a broader context. Governmental policies can be developed in broader terms and there is a need to respond to the set parameters of public opinion concerning liberal and democratic views and their reflection in the policies of the government. Further on, it is possible that public views are developed in a serious contradiction and key policy issues may not coincide with the public opinion. Question 2 Political parties and interest group are representatives of democratic process Under conditions of democratic processes of the country, it is evident that public opinion is reflected via different organizations and forms of public opinions. For example, interest groups are formed by the people, united by the common goal and they want to influence the formation of the governmental policies. Interest group s in America are established on the basis of their economic concerns, occupational needs or ideological beliefs or principles. These groups may be religious, ethnic or any other and may have membership in different social or economic groupings. People, who were frustrated by governmental policies, such as blacks, women, Native Americans and the economic underdogs have organized themselves in different movements (Jones, McDemott, 2009). They have their greatest power, because they reflect diverse interests and opinions and much more concerned about various beliefs and social concerns. Political parties are also important for governmental policy development as the instruments of policies formation. The role of political parties is very essential. These parties simplify voting choices and are responsible for competition organization, for electorate unifying and bridging the gap of powers separation. Voting choices are easily structured with the help of political parties and they nomina te a candidate for choosing him in the process of elections. Therefore, the function of political parties is much more integrative and in-depth strategies are taken by the political parties. Moreover, it should be noted that degree of effectiveness of interest groups and political parties is different. Interest groups are more specific and their representation and political influence is more limited than the influence of political par