Political Questions
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Politics is about how
to balance human desires. We will leap in the dark unless we think and
act.
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Questions about US Congress
- The nineteenth-century
presidency operated under a doctrine of presidential restraint. Presidents
did not take the lead in government, but instead deferred to Congress.
This view of presidential restraint closely followed the intent of the
framers of the U.S. Constitution. However, at the opening of this century,
idea about the presidency and government changed. A theory of presidential
activism replaced that of presidential restraint. Presidents should use
their power to act. Woodrow Wilson's commentary on presidential power
suggested that only the president could represent the national will. With
more power goes to the president, do the characteristics of individual
presidents matter? In other words, do leaders matter?
- One of the key questions in
minority politics is how to effectively protect minority interests. There
have been many strategies designed and examined by both politicians and
scholars. These strategies include conventional and unconventional
political activities. Particularly, blacks may increase their political
influence through protest-like political movements; through mobilization
and voting; and through litigation. However, do blacks or other minorities
need to control political power in order to protect their interests? If
yes, to what extent and at what level?
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