The United States of Politics by Max Weber
The US Politics eBook by Max Weber provides a clear and concise overview of current events and trends from a US political perspective. It is an easy read that contains references to recent US political figures and policy makers, as well as more topical political issues. It contains many case studies on important political debates and events. It also includes interviews with some current and former politicians. Some of the more interesting topics are the rise of globalization, the increasing diversity of America’s population, the changing role of women in society, and the potential political ramifications of the internet.
Some of the more interesting chapters include Why American Citizens Have Revere Moreconfidence in Their Government and What That Really Means, The Tea Party Reactionaries, Why Middle Class Pockets is Going to the Polls, and Why Big Oil is Controlling American Policy. There are several case studies that are interesting and offer a unique look at some political issues. For example, there is an introduction on how the new health care bill could affect the middle class. The healthcare industry and their conflicts of interests are explored as well.
I really liked some of the lighter discussions regarding the rise of the Tea Party and conservative political movements. Max Weber takes a light-hearted look at these movements and how they affect our culture. He does have some pretty serious points though, like the fact that some Tea Party members want to secede from America and form a country out of nothing. He also touches on the different religious and ethnic groups in America and the impact of immigration policies on those demographics.
Immigration is of course a hot topic these days. Donald Trump has created quite a stir by proposing a border wall and making Mexico pay for it. On another note, a group of politically correct so called experts have condemned him for what they labelled as racism. Events like this show that we should always be very careful about what we say and do around race relations and diversity issues.
Max Weber is right on target when he states that the United States is indeed a melting pot. With all the various cultures and beliefs mixing and marrying together, one can safely say that US politics has some diversity within it already. This probably explains why no major party candidate for president has been able to win the popular vote sinceideredly in 1996.
As for me, I feel that if diversity and differences are what make America great, then why not embrace them. Our nation was built on the idea of freedom of speech. It is our right to express ourselves, and that includes being vocal about our opinions. So, don’t get me wrong. I’m not about to condemn anyone who feels or believes differently than I do. That’s their choice though.