Essay 12

2004_4
3) Trust and confidence in government have declined in recent decades.

(a) Explain how divided government has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in government. Be sure to include a definition of divided government in your response
Divided government describes a situation in which one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of the United States Congress and then leading to Congressional gridlock. Divided government has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in the government because some one always feels as if they are being discriminated against. New regulations are put in place but then there are no government officials responsible for them. The people then feel as if nothing is getting done and the government officials aren't taking responsibility. 

(b) Explain how the increased cost of election campaigns has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in government.
As more and more money is used in campaigns the more money that needs to be borrowed from other contributors. The increased cost of election campaigns has contribute to the decline in trust and confidence in government because it makes people feel as if the candidates are buying support. The campaign mainly focuses around money and not the actual subject at hand. The people then begin to question whether this candidate is responsible or if they are just "buying" the campaign. 

(c) Explain two specific consequences of the decline in trust and confidence in government for individual political behavior.
One specific consequence of the decline in trust and confidence in government for individual political behavior is a depressed economy. When people feel that they can no longer trust what the government is doing with their money they will begin to spend less. This then affects the entire system and will cause a mass fail of the economy. Another consequence of the decline in trust and confidence in government for individual political behavior is voter turnout. If people feel that there are no qualified candidates they will forget to vote or not have an interest in voting. This will then lead to voting blocks.