essay-Q1.odt

Thesis: Although Hacket and Pearson display a very accurate depiction of the role of “organizational power” rooted in the core of the modern American state and its relationship to the ever increasing inequality within it, it does not fully address the cultural basis of inequality, nor the important limits on the power of organizations present within public opinion itself. • In this paper I will describe the ways in which the institutional structure of theAmerican government enables the powers of organized interests. Then I will illuminate some of the theories that refute the arguments against the institutional explanation for the scope of inequality within the United States Organizational Powers • organizations permit the specialization and the development of expertise through the use of lots of talent that is critical for the modern state's immense complexity, allowing government to properly regulate all aspects of the nation in the best way possible. • But although these organizations are of the utmost value to the federal bureaucracy, such organizational powers pose many problems as they have a tendency to greatly influence the nature and direction of policy. • Organizational powers are much better at influencing policy due to their shear relentlessness and durability. • Using a combination of relentlessness and intellect, they can manipulate virtually anything they wish, permitting change or restricting policy evolution ◦ although relatively stable, institutions become increasingly worse at achieving the goals presented to them by Congress, gradually creating differences between the intended policy and the outcome. ◦ Action or inaction help determine policy in taxation, industry relations, financial markets and has ultimately prevented the government from responding to changing economic conditions Institutional Sources for Interest Group Power 1. separation of powers (the executive and the legislative arms of government are not joined together like in a parliamentary system) • with the executive and legislative separate, with each having its own set of agencies that answer leaves a lot of room for organizational power to enact its influence ◦ if congress doesn't do its job, an agency is created whose mission is so vague and authority is so broad that it is barely constitutional 2. delegation of legislative power + contained significance of congressional oversight= interest group influence • agencies created by obscure legislation ave little direct influence from congress, creating broad laws that apply to everyone • since congress can justify the creation of regulatory law through its departments and agencies throughA1S8 of the constitution, congress does what it sees “necessary and proper” to provide general welfare to the country, but organized interests control what direction to take and how much to spend ◦ some agencies are sometimes totally unresponsive to congressional oversight, developing their own separate activities and policies of their own ◦ e.g. the IRS/EPAboth have their own administrative courts who can punish those who violate their policies 3. Primary System (the lack of party control over individuals, candidate centered campa