Political Typology - Research Paper Example

Internet Research Assignment Political Typology: Introduction: The paper below aims at studying the political typology obtained by taking the quiz on the website. The results are employed in studying political influences indicated by the results that classify one in any of the eight groups of steadfast conservative, business conservative, solid liberals, young outsiders, half-pressed skeptics, next generation left, faith and family left and bystanders (Mooney, p.213). The results indicated me as a solid liberal as per the summary described below. It also aided in development of an analysis on three personalities in American politics that were President Barack Obama, former presidents George W. Bush and Jimmy carter. Summary of the Results: The attachment above indicates the results obtained from the quiz taken. According to these, the results indicate that am a solid liberal. To these, am affluent in a general manner and highly educated. The solid liberals support the social safety net and remain liberal in most issues considered virtual. These are highly supporters of President Obama and the Democratic party as indicated above in the results that in 2012 chances are high I voted 89% for Obama compared to 3% for Romney. I am overly optimistic in position referring to the future of the country with a good influence on the change aspect as major in influencing America’s success. The country does not stand on the considered long-standing principles that the Republicans are known for historically but as per the results, it is indicated that good diplomacy to my kind of political orientation is more to appreciate for the peace we enjoy in the country (Pew Research Center). The Republicans believe that America’s peace originates from its military strength. The ability to defend its territories and hold massive military strength that has scared off its enemies. Comparing these issues and category of my results with the other groups as provided by the political group provides an effort in explaining the people’s political affiliations and their impact in making political decisions. The above summary places me on the side of democrats, which indicates my opinion as per the questions asked on the website. I totally agree with the finds. The essence of these findings to me is in expressing my opinion in relation to politics in our country and playing a role in ensuring peace prevails. To complete this assignment, consideration of three presidential personalities proves necessary. President Barack Obama, former President George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter are all considered. Barack Obama A Solid Liberal: Facts considered: Barack Obama is the 44th president of the United States and a democrat in practice (Gormley, p.205). He is the first African American President in the United States after practicing law and holding a senatorial position early that ushered him into the current political position he holds. Currently, his position represents democrats. The history that he has a civil rights attorney represents his position on promotion of peace and constitutionalism in all aspects of the American people (Michael & Schraufnagel, p.65). The development through the political ranks has had President Obama grow his support from the Democrats that yielded into a political victory that saw him elected president. Looking at the works of President Obama in office, there is a resonance of the democrat’s approach to management that seeks to establish peace rather than employing military approaches to safeguarding the country. The recent utterances on the attack over the terrorism incident in Paris allowing refugees to continue moving to the United States despite the terrorism fear have indicated the approach of Democrats more as peace loving people that do not depend on military approaches in supporting the development of the country’s political arena (Roberts & McCarthy). Foreign policy includes Obama’s approach to the war in Iraq by ending the war and any involvement of the United States in Iraq. Democrats advocate for peace by ensuring that all avenues that indicate to war are approached with a friendly approach rather than a military approach that Republicans believe in and employ. During the same time on foreign policy, President Obama signed into treaty the New START with Russia aimed at controlling the manufacture and distribution of arms (Zenko). The foreign policy of the American people has supported their relationships with the world and other countries. It has supported the business and economic influence that these other countries have provided to the country and the world at large. Position as per Political Typology: Considering these effects, it is easier to categories Obama as a Solid Liberal. The efforts to control the country and ensure peace prevails amidst controversy from the Republicans calling for military action in different situations are an indication of Obama’s strong liberal political affiliation. The ending of the war in Iraq was part of the initial signs of the President’s political mind leading to easy identification of the political aspects of most democrats. It is indicative of Obam’s approach as liberal in nature and his attitude in approaching all aspects of leadership, government, and business, the economy and foreign policy support this claim. He does not try to force his ideas out seeks input from the other members. For years, these kinds of approaches have dominantly indicated the political thoughts of the Democrats, continuously supported their involvement in politics, and wide spread of democracy (Tiwari). Obama is considered a loyal democratic voter. His decisions on homosexuality, abortions and race have provided a strong historical make up of these societal issues in the United States supporting a strong influence that has indicated to the growth and respect that democrats have earned over his tenure (Prollock, p.167). The efforts in protecting international relations with major incidents that Obama has tried to use to create a connection between the U.S and Russia indicate efforts to maintain a foreign policy that is welcoming as typical of most democrats. A solid liberal follows government affairs closely and is passionate about their party with constant voting to ensure they provide it with the leverage it needs to advance towards retaining its position in the country. These have led to the consideration of Democrats for leadership and the effective leadership style has supported their influence in American politics. George W. Bush a Steadfast Conservative: Facts considered: George W Bush served as the 43rd president of the United States. He started curving his political career with his father George H. W. Bush opening the way for him after serving as the 41st president of America. The young Bush was elected president in 2000 under a controversial appointment. During his tenure, a lot happened in the U.S with the famous September 11, 2001 terrorist attack that forced retaliation by the United States starting a war on terror that has remained a major challenge to many world leaders (Mann). These included starting the war in Afghanistan in 2001 and that of Iraq followed in 2003 (Rai & Chomsky, p.1). He stood to provide a face of no to same sex marriages in the country. Bush also advocated for other major influences in policies such as the economic policies, health care policies, social security reform aspects and education policies (Olson, p.196). These marked major effects that the Bush administration held over its tenure representing the Republicans as their president and candidate. Through Bush, constitutional amendments took root to prohibit same sex marriages with broad tax cuts entered into effect too. In addition, the Patriot Act came to life, No Child Left behind Act, a partial ban on abortion act and other medical efforts that saw an increase in funding for AIDS through a relief program called PEPFAR. Issues that affected his tenure-included immigration, electronic surveillance programs, torture of prisoners and social security development (Jones & Co, p.31). Despite all these, Bush was re-elected on a second term against Senator John Kerry that represented the Democrats in 2004. Position as per Political Typology: Considering the conduct of Bush, not much can relate to being a liberal in his tenure. Bush can easily pass for a Bystander considering his attention to the politics going on around his leadership. He may also pass for a Steadfast conservative considering his socially conservative approach to leadership. Lastly, Bush may also feature as a Faith and Family Loving left considering his actions towards fighting gay marriages during his tenure and his connection to the pace of the societal changes. Despite these, Bush’s conduct dominates more as a steadfast conservative. Jimmy Carter a Solid Liberal: Facts Considered: President Jimmy Carter also known as James Earl Carter became the 39th president of America. He was an author and established the Carter Center that won him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 (Whitelaw, p.4). His strong democratic affiliations have a huge influence on his decisions as a president and an American. Some of the major highlights in Carter’s presidency include the pardon of all evaders of the Vietnam War (Chambliss, p.17). Carter led to the development of the Department of Energy and that of Education. He influenced the development of the National Energy Policy that carried conservation aspects, new technology application and price controls. His approach to foreign affairs with persuasion of the Camp David Accords and the Panama Canal Treaties and Strategic Arms Limitation Talks among other efforts that aimed at making the world a better place marked his tenure in office (Domin, p.82). Position as per Political Typology: Considering these, I would categorize President Carter as a Solid Liberal. His actions on foreign policy and gesture of pardoning those that evaded the Vietnam War indicated to his love for peace and the liberalization that each person deserved to enjoy in their country. A strong democrat serving to uphold the interests of the Democrats in the country, Carter kept close to political affairs and ensured an understanding of their influence to the country. In conclusion, the political typology provides an indication to the political affiliations and decision making of those that encounters its quiz. They base people’s responses to the provided questions to judge their decisions and relate them with the political environment hence making a definitive description of their political interests. An effective approach has affirmed my Solid Liberal approach to politics that proves true based on my thoughts. Work cited: Chambliss, William J. Corrections. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, 2011. Print. Domin, Gregory Paul. Jimmy Carter, Public Opinion, and the Search for Values, 1977-1981. Macon, Ga,: Mercer University Press, 2003. Print. Gormley, Beatrice. Barack Obama: Our 44th President. Simon and Schister. 2012. Print. Jones, Dow & Co. The Wall Street Journal: Index. Barrons National Business and Financial Weekly, 2001. Print. Mann, James, Schlesinger, Arthur & Wilentz, Sean. Henry Holt and Company, 2015. Print. Michael, Pomante & Schraufnagel, Scot. Historical Dictionary of the Barack Obama Administration. Rowman & Littlefield, 2014. Print. Mooney, Chris. The Republican Brain: The Science of Why They Deny Science and Reality. John Wiley & Sons, 2012. Print. Olson, Paul. Mental Health Systems Compared: Great Britain, Norway, Canada, and the United States. Charles C Thomas Publisher, 2006. Print. Pew Research Center. Beyond Red vs. Blue: The Political Typology. Viewed on November 19, 2015 from http://www.people-press.org/2014/06/26/the-political-typology-beyond-red-vs-blue/ Prollock, Sue, Betty. The Abominations of the Obama-Nation. iUniverse, 2014. Print. Rai, Milan & Chomsky, Noam. War Plan Iraq: Ten Reasons Against War with Iraq. Verso, 2002. Print. Roberts, Dan & McCarthy, Tom. "Offensive and Hysterical": Obama Lashes Republicans Over Syrian Refugees. The Guardian. Viewed on November 9, 2015 from http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/17/republicans-congress-syrian-refugees-us-paris-attacks Tiwari, Rajiv. President Obama. Diamond Pocket Books Pvt Ltd, 2014. Print. Whitelaw, Nancy. Jimmy Carter: President and Peacemaker. Juvenile Nonfiction, 2004. Print. Zenko, Micah. Toward Deeper Reductions in U.S. and Russian Nuclear Weapons. Council on Foreign Relations, 2010. Print. Read More