This November marks the year of a presidential election, and the president of the United States is widely acknowledged as the most powerful person in the world. However, I posit that the Congress is the true power behind the governing body that is the United States. The president is a figurehead and the deciding signature to all legislation passed by Congress. Congress is a complex governing body, and it currently struggles to get bills passed. Yet, the people of the United States still vote for representatives with the hope that these officials will uphold the interests and goals of the larger population. Negotiation is key to the governance of the United States, and is paramount to effectuating change in Congress. Negotiation tactics
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This happens because of the identity composition of Congress. The two parties usually holding power within Congress use party loyalty as a key factor when trying to pass laws. This is why using the party as a reason to support a bill works, but also why it does not. It works to unify but it also divides. The divide comes from the reasoning that even not making a deal and walking out of a negotiation can help further public support. Another reason for the divide is the mentality of “just because they support it I cannot.” In this day and age, the support of a party from citizens can come from hatred for another party. The reason that public support is essential to the parties and individuals is because people are elected and need to stay in favor with their supporters. This does, however, infuriate many people of the opposing party because the inability to agree means that nothing can be accomplished. This is the fight between "policy and politics" (Binder & Lee, 2013, p. 4). If a policy was the only thing of importance, then negotiation would not be a problem, but because of the politics used in government then negotiation is much more complicated. Because negotiation is so complex, understanding the parties’ platforms is key in order to appeal to their needs and
This happens because of the identity composition of Congress. The two parties usually holding power within Congress use party loyalty as a key factor when trying to pass laws. This is why using the party as a reason to support a bill works, but also why it does not. It works to unify but it also divides. The divide comes from the reasoning that even not making a deal and walking out of a negotiation can help further public support. Another reason for the divide is the mentality of “just because they support it I cannot.” In this day and age, the support of a party from citizens can come from hatred for another party. The reason that public support is essential to the parties and individuals is because people are elected and need to stay in favor with their supporters. This does, however, infuriate many people of the opposing party because the inability to agree means that nothing can be accomplished. This is the fight between "policy and politics" (Binder & Lee, 2013, p. 4). If a policy was the only thing of importance, then negotiation would not be a problem, but because of the politics used in government then negotiation is much more complicated. Because negotiation is so complex, understanding the parties’ platforms is key in order to appeal to their needs and