Political Science: Government II Written Assignment

Part One: Subject Areas Covered

Since the founding of the US, it has relied on the participation of citizens to govern at the national, state, and local levels. Civic engagement is essential in US governance since it ensures that representative democracy continues to flourish and that the US citizens continue to influence the government. The constitution also grants and protects the rights of US citizens as they participate in the countrys governance (Kovera). This is an essential aspect of democracy, and over the years, many people have struggled to ensure that their right to participate is acquired, defended, and protected. Hence, this paper will address the subjects that deal with US governance and civic participation. First, this paper will address one of the branches of the US government, specifically the Congress, by exploring its structure and powers and its role in the countrys governance. This paper will also explore the equal rights amendment under civil rights and federalism, its meaning, and its relation to the constitution. The contemporary problem identified is continuing racial discrimination, followed by a brief description of a possible solution.

Branches of the US Government: The US Congress

Congress is among the three branches of the US government alongside the Executive and the federal judiciary. The structure and powers of Congress, Congressional terms and length, and the requirements for serving and representation in Congress are described under Article I, from section one to section ten, of the constitution. It consists of two parts, the House of Representatives and the Senate. The vice president of the US becomes the president of the senate and only casts a vote when senators are evenly divided. The powers initially granted to Congress include tax, regulating commerce and trade, and maintaining a navy and an army. Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress has had authority that even the national government lacks. Constitutional amendments granted Congress additional powers including, the power to declare war (hence an essential role in national defense), borrow and coin money, grant copyrights, and patents, and establish laws to regulate bankruptcy and naturalization (Krutz & Sylvie, p. 51).

Civil Rights: Equal Rights Amendment

The founding principles of the US are justice, equality, and liberty. However, not every American citizen has always enjoyed equal treatment and opportunities under the law or the liberties extended to other citizens. Over the years, there have been several movements,...…sentencing. Such issues have resulted in the deaths of many innocent blacks. Thus, many African American movements have taken to the streets to protest what they believe is racial discrimination because of their color and the failure of politicians to pay more attention to these issues.

The solution to the Identified Problem

Opinion research has proven that American citizens embrace the human rights concept as an essential societal value. Equal opportunities free from racial discrimination based on race are a fundamental human right (Kovera). Evidence shows the ongoing presence of racial discrimination in the US, which warrants the political environment to implement a permanent solution. Hence, there need to be discussions on this sensitive topic both by the American and international societies to generate potential solutions. Ideally, the US government could consider ratifying the constitution to include more ideas to guarantee equal protection rights for every American citizen. In the implementation, it would help to ensure that anyone who acts against the stipulations of the constitution in terms of racial discrimination faces the full wrath of the law irrespective of who the offender is. Most importantly, the government should promote civic education since white dominance over blacks is also an issue…