Topic: Critique of American Democracy in Peril by William Hudson

Paper details:

After reading chapter 3 from Hudson’s American Democracy in Peril please write a 4-5 page critique. What is Hudson trying to argue in this chapter? Do you agree with Hudson? Why? Why not? In writing your paper let me know what ideology you most closely align with.
**Please write from a Liberal’s perspective because that is what I am**

First, please have a thesis. Second, please quote directly from the texts to illustrate your points

I disagree with Hudson’s view of the separation of powers being a bad thing and

his view that slow change is always a bad thing. He looks at various political

movements from the past such as the civil rights movement and how long it took them to

pass such an obvious legislation into law because of the minority of southern

congressmen preventing it from passing. Even though it took them a long time to get this

passed, it is highly unlikely that it will ever get revoked because of that same separation

of powers that impeded it before. Any movement that is just and right will make it into

law eventually, and when it does it is likely to never leave. This separation of powers

works as a filter to keep bad ideas from one major political party enacting unjust laws

against their people. It also promotes cooperation between different political parties and

to reach a compromise instead of getting everything the party wants without the

consideration of others opinions. The benefit of a more speedy congress on creating

policy is too high of a cost when compared with the very real threat of people in power

abusing the system to hurt minorities.

When it comes to accountability it can be hazy on who to blame, if you are trying

to blame just one party, when things such as the economy and job growth take a dip.

When the government passes policy that has failed, we can hold the government

responsible by not just yelling at one party but by yelling at both of them. Hudson is

right, it is hard to blame just one party for the failure of the government but since our

system allows for two parties to be in power they both should share the blame for when

policies fail and it is possible to hold them both accountable. Even though it may seem

like a waste of a vote, voting for a third party if the current two have failed is a way to

send a message to the ruling parties that they are messing up and need to fix their policies