Government & Policy: Shaping Our Nation's Future

How does America see itself on the world stage? This question is at the center of today's government and policy debates. It affects everything from how we run our country to how we make laws.

The Biden administration wants to boost America's strengths and improve international ties. They aim to create 10 million jobs and cut unemployment to near-record lows. This will help the economy¹.

At the same time, they want to lead the world. They're strengthening NATO and making new alliances like AUKUS¹.

What do Americans think about their country's role? Some see it as one of the greatest, while others think it's the best. This view changes based on who you ask².

Conservative Republicans are more likely to see the U.S. as exceptional. Only 17% of liberal Democrats agree².

The strategy also tackles big global problems like climate change and pandemics. It shows a commitment to working together with other countries¹.

Most Americans think more diversity makes the country better. This shows a positive view of working together².

As we face these big issues, how we make laws and work together will be key. It will shape our future at home and abroad.

Key Takeaways

• The National Security Strategy aims to create jobs and strengthen international alliances.
• Public opinion on America's global standing varies across political lines.
• There's a focus on addressing shared global challenges through cooperation.
• The majority of Americans view increasing diversity positively.
• Balancing domestic prosperity with global leadership is a key policy objective.
• Public confidence in the nation's future has declined compared to previous decades.

The Foundations of American Governance

The United States government is built on strong constitutional principles and democratic values. These basics guide public policy and the complex workings of our political system. Let's look at the key elements that make up the foundation of American civics and statecraft.

Constitutional Principles and Democratic Values

The U.S. Constitution was created early in our nation's history. It has lasted longer than any other constitution in history³. It reflects Enlightenment ideas of freedom, equality, and justice, deeply influencing its creators³.

John Locke's ideas about government by consent and natural rights also shaped America³.

American governance's roots go back to English documents like the Magna Carta (1215)³⁴. This "Great Charter" was a result of a meeting between King John and rebellious barons. It had about 63 provisions addressing their grievances⁴.

The Magna Carta's influence also led to the English Bill of Rights (1689)³⁴. This document ensured free elections and rights for those accused.

Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances

The U.S. government has three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. This division, along with checks and balances, prevents any one branch from dominating. The course "Understanding the US Government" explores how these interactions affect policymaking and regulations⁵.

Federalism and State-Federal Relationships

Federalism is a key part of American governance, dividing power between national and state governments. This system allows for effective governance at different levels while protecting individual rights. The Virginia Company Charter of 1606 was a precedent, granting colonists the same liberties as English-born citizens⁴.

Understanding these foundations is key for active citizenship and informed participation in democracy. They continue to influence public policy and shape American governance.

National Security Strategy: Safeguarding America's Interests

The National Security Strategy (NSS) is key to American politics and government. Since 1987, it has been released every year. It outlines U.S. goals and policies abroad⁶.

The NSS guides on defense needs to face threats and plan for security⁶.

In 2022, the Biden Administration's NSS changed how we view national security. It focuses on building alliances and competing with China and Russia. It also tackles global issues like climate change⁷.

This strategy shows how domestic and foreign policy are linked. It takes a complete view of national security⁷.

The NSS puts a lot into military readiness and protecting national interests⁷. It values alliances and partnerships as strategic tools. This teamwork aims to create a better world order⁷.

It also sees democracy as key to the future, unlike autocracies. It supports open and flexible governance, following constitutional law. The NSS also aims to boost economic ties with partners for fair trade and growth⁷.

This detailed strategy tackles the complex global scene. It mixes military power, diplomacy, and economics to safeguard America's place in a changing world.

The Global Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities

The world is full of challenges and chances for countries to grow. Nations deal with complex international relations. They face tough competition and common problems that need new solutions.

Strategic Competition in the International Order

Today, the world is shaped by strategic competition. The U.S. and China lead in science, with the U.S. and China publishing over 2.2 million papers together in 2020⁸. This rivalry affects economic policies and how governments work together.

Addressing Shared Global Challenges

Countries face big problems that need everyone's help. Issues like climate change, pandemics, and economic worries are at the top. Getting people involved is key to solving these problems. Countries that spend less on research often work together more⁸.

Strengthening Alliances and Partnerships

Strong alliances help tackle global problems. Trust is essential for successful partnerships, especially among wealthy countries⁸. Businesses face different rules in each country, which can be hard and expensive⁹. To deal with this, countries and groups use new ways to manage rules and use data tools⁹.

As the world changes, good government relations and policy analysis are more important than ever. Countries must find a balance between competing and working together. They need to solve common problems while dealing with the complexities of international partnerships.

GOVERNMENT & POLICY: Frameworks for Progress

The U.S. government makes plans for progress through public policies and strategic actions. These plans shape how politics work and guide government agencies. One key plan is the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability. It brings together diplomatic, development, and security efforts to build global resilience.

USAID is key in making these plans work. Over 60 years, USAID has helped many countries move from autocracy to democracy. It has also given lifesaving aid to communities hit by disasters, wars, and crises¹⁰.

USAID's work has made a big difference. It has helped millions of girls go to school and made progress in fighting diseases like smallpox and nearly eliminating polio¹⁰.

Policy analysis shows that development challenges keep changing. The COVID-19 pandemic, climate crisis, global inequality, and geopolitical competition affect America's security¹⁰. To tackle these, USAID has a new Policy Framework. It focuses on facing challenges, forming new partnerships, and improving effectiveness¹⁰.

The framework aims to boost USAID's impact. In 2022, 10.2% of USAID's funding went to local groups, up from 7.4% in 2021. The goal is to reach 25% by 2025¹¹. This change shows a commitment to empowering local partners and supporting sustainable development.

Bureaucracy is important in making these plans work. The GPRA Modernization Act of 2010 helped Federal agencies be accountable for their work and goals¹². This act focuses on strategic planning, using data for reviews, and improving agency management. It aims to deliver results for American taxpayers¹².

As the U.S. government keeps improving its policy work, these frameworks guide it. They help create a freer, more peaceful, and prosperous world. By aligning resources, setting clear goals, and working together, these efforts aim to tackle complex global challenges and support American interests at home and abroad.

Advancing Equity and Civil Rights

The Biden-Harris Administration is working hard to make public service more fair and just. They want a democracy that includes everyone and a strong civil society. Their goal is to fix old problems of unfairness in the public sector and beyond.

Executive Order 13985: A Milestone for Racial Equity

President Biden's Executive Order 13985 is a big step towards racial equity. It tells federal agencies to help communities that have been left behind. On April 14, 2022, 90 agencies made plans to do this, showing a big commitment to fairness¹³.

Implementing Equity Action Plans

Agencies are working hard to follow their Equity Action Plans. They've done over 650 things since the plans were made in 2022¹³. These actions help people in many ways, like making sure kids have food in the summer and helping families build wealth.

These efforts have made a big difference. For example, over 30 million kids got summer meals, a huge jump from 2019¹³. Also, SNAP benefits went up by over $36 a month for each person, helping those who need it most¹³.

Addressing Systemic Barriers

The administration is also tackling big problems in the public sector. The Justice40 Initiative wants 40% of clean energy money to go to poor communities¹³. This is part of a bigger plan to fix old mistakes in how money is spent in these areas¹⁴.

To help, agencies are making plans to make sure everyone can join in. They're working with groups that have been left out to make things better¹⁴.

These steps are not just the right thing to do; they also make sense for the economy. Fixing racial gaps could add $5 trillion to the U.S. economy in five years. This shows how fairness in public service can benefit everyone¹⁴.

Economic Policies for a Prosperous Nation

The United States is facing economic challenges that need new policies and plans. The national economic recovery is the slowest since 1930. Real GDP growth rates have been below 3 percent for seven years since 2009¹⁵. This slow growth shows we need better public policy and civil service reform to improve the economy.

Economic freedom is key to prosperity. States with more economic freedom have lower unemployment and more jobs¹⁵. For example, the top ten states in economic freedom have an average unemployment rate of 4.3%, compared to the national rate of 4.9%¹⁵. This shows the value of good economic policies in growing the economy and improving social services.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) focuses on innovation and regional collaboration for job growth¹⁶. It uses regional assets to develop economic strategies that meet changing economic needs¹⁶. This strategy matches the need for focused civil services and law enforcement to support local economies.

Looking at global trends can help U.S. policymakers. Asian countries have shown better growth rates than African and Latin American nations. They maintained a mean growth rate of 4.1% in 1965-1973 and 3.6% in 1973-1984¹⁷. These numbers highlight the need for adaptable economic policies and efficient civil services for long-term growth.

Education and Workforce Development Initiatives

The Biden-Harris Administration wants to make sure everyone has a chance to find good jobs. This includes women, people of color, and veterans¹⁸. They believe in making the economy better for everyone.

Equitable Access to Quality Education

Governors are working hard to make the economy better for everyone. They want to make sure the country stays competitive¹⁹. The National Governors Association helps them with this by offering advice on important issues like apprenticeships¹⁹.

Skills Training and Lifelong Learning Programs

The government is focusing on training people for jobs. Over 100 military folks, spouses, and veterans got training at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts¹⁸. This shows they're working hard to help specific groups.

Bridging the Digital Divide in Education

The government is trying to close the digital gap in education. Secretary Gina Raimondo talked about getting more women into tech at the 2023 SelectUSA Summit¹⁸. She stressed how important it is to have diversity in tech fields.

Creating these programs takes teamwork between states and the federal government. The NGA Center works with the U.S. Department of Labor to help Governors plan for workforce development¹⁹. This partnership makes sure money is used wisely to support federal programs like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act¹⁹.

Environmental Justice and Climate Action

The Biden Administration is making big changes to help with environmental justice and climate action. The Justice40 Initiative aims to give 40% of clean energy benefits to poor communities. This is a big change in how the government works²⁰.

This plan includes work on climate change, clean energy, and reducing pollution. Agencies like the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency are working on these issues²⁰.

The Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) is key in finding poor communities and deciding where to send help. It's updated often, with a Spanish version coming out in July 2023²⁰.

Recently, the government has focused more on justice and fairness in climate action. In 2023, using human rights helped win environmental protections. Chicago also made a plan to help areas with a lot of pollution²¹.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has plans to deal with climate change. They want to do more research and make their facilities more resilient²².

These steps show the government's commitment to better public services and helping communities hit hard by climate change. The focus on environmental justice is changing policies and practices in many areas.

Conclusion: Building a More Perfect Union

The journey to build a more perfect union in the United States has been ongoing since its founding. From 1774 to 1789, the U.S. grew from 13 colonies to an independent nation. The Continental Congress was key in this fight for freedom²³.

This time also saw the growth of governance models. The U.S. moved from the Articles of Confederation to the U.S. Constitution. This change brought a system of checks and balances²³.

Today, the quest for a more perfect union continues. Students in Illinois are exploring what this means in their communities. They found that volunteering is a major way to help society. Some even link it to pushing for laws at state and federal levels²⁴.

These efforts show our ongoing dedication to government accountability and civic engagement.

However, challenges still exist. Nearly four million people in U.S. territories can't fully participate in democracy. They can't vote for president or have voting power in Congress²⁵.

This highlights the need for more work to ensure everyone can participate in our democracy. Moving forward, we must keep talking, taking action, and working on big issues. This will help America live up to its promise for all its people.