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Instructions for completing this discussion board assignment:

a) Identify which discussion question you are answering in your comment by placing the relevant number at the start of your answer. For example:

2. Crime has often been used as a form of social control by…

4. Michelle Alexander’s argument about segregation…

b) Respond to two other students’ comments.

Respond to the following questions in the “Comment” box below:

  1. Describe the primary differences in the role of citizens in government, among the federal, confederation, and unitary systems.
  2. Briefly explain how you understand the system of division of power.
  3. How does the federal government shape the actions of state and local governments? Write your answer based on doing a bit of research on how the federal government has influenced the actions of NY state and local governments, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

32 thoughts on “Discussion Board 7.1

  1. 1.In the federal system citizens get to vote for representatives and voice their opinion.In confederation citizens would have more power because this system pretty much relies on local government, while in unitary system citizens would leave everything to the central government .
    2. My understanding of division power is the government being broken down into parts so that one branch won’t become to powerful and overule the other, in other words to limit one branch from exercising the core functions of the other. It is there to provide checks and balances.
    3.One way the federal government can shape the actions of state and local government is by providing aid, grants, incentives. Local governments are eager to obtain federal dollars speacilly during the covid 19 pandemic. During covid-19 pandemic the federal government at some point let the local states chose weather they want to open up the cities again but then took that power away from them right after and it left many people “wondering who Is actually in charge during this pandemic”, but regardless of this in the “10th amendment reserves police power” meaning if it comes down to the health, safety, and general welfare the states can inherit sovereign powers.The federal government has also “allowed state assistance or relief funds (justsecurity.org).” Another way is the president influencing people to open back up sooner then expect during covid which many states including NY were not happy about. They promoted that this can cause the spread of the virus to rise again and because of that most states decided to not open as soon as the president stated.

  2. 1. The differences are that citizens are in the government is to respect and obey the laws that are being made. The federal will ensure that the powers being used are separated and are effective enough for the local governments. A confederation is different because its focused having agreements rather than the government deciding so the citizens are relying on just them to make decisions. The unitary system is opposite of the federals system because one form of government has control rather than multiple forms of power
    2. I understand this system because there are three separate branches that will check and balance each other to ensure that power is not being taken advantage of.
    3. The federal government shapes the actions because it regulates states and local government to ensure that things are under control and being taken care of. During the Covid pandemic, the federal government has influenced the state and local government by providing relief to families and ensuring that we are kept safe in communities by applying rules and guidelines to ensure more safety.

    1. A confederation is a system of government where there is division of power, but the central government is designed to be weak, whereas in a federation, the central government is meant to be strong. In a unitary government, the division of power is not a priority in the design of the government structures.

  3. 1. The differences between the citizens are that they have the power to vote and they also hold the right to make a change. In confederation the people come to an agreement and they make decisions themselves. In the unitary system is when only one government that has all of control there are not sharing powers.

    2.How I understand the divison of power is how the government is divided in separate branches . In these branches they each all have their own duties.These branches also have checks and balances who all make sure no branches abuses power.

    3.The federal government shapes the actions of the state and local government by ensuring that we are provided with aid like food , financial help during the covid pandemic.They also made sure that we shut all public facilities to ensure safety for all during this covid pandemic.

    1. Hey Gisselle, like like how your answer are simple and concise. In reference to the last question do you think both federal and local government provided enough aid to the people living in NY state due to the pandemic?

    2. The difference between federal and confederate governments has to do with the strength of the central government: weak in a confederation, and strong in federal government.

  4. Hello Professor and Classmates

    Question #1:
    Describe the primary differences in the role of citizens in government, among the federal, confederation, and unitary systems.

    Answer:
    The primary differences in the role of citizens and government, among the federal, confederation, and unitary system are
    1. The Federal system – citizens vote for representatives.
    2. Confederation system – citizens will have more power because this system relies on the the local government.
    3. Unitary system – leaves everything to the central government.

    Question #2
    Briefly explain how you understand the system of division of power.

    Answer:
    My interpretation of the system of division of power is that it is divided into 3 major group and they all rely on each other. This is the 3 levels of government and they are the local, state and federal. Checks and balance play an important part in making sure that each branch of government does not exceed its power.

    Question#3
    How does the federal government shape the actions of state and local governments? Write your answer based on doing a bit of research on how the federal government has influenced the actions of NY state and local governments, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Answer: The federal government shape that actions of state and local government by aids, stimulus and grants. With the ongoing corona virus pandemic the ferderal government has influenced the actions of NY state and local governments by providing a one time relief emergency funds to the people who resides in NY state. The local governments mandated all businesses to be closed except businesses that were/are deamed essential. The local government also provided shelters for the homeless, food supplies and provided tsting sites for for everyone who wanted/needed to get tested due to the pandemic.

  5. 1- Citizens in the government voices their opinions, they vote on changes, they also have to respect the laws that are in place. In unitary systems its one government national government controls it. Federal systems share power, national+state. Confederal systems, the power is within the states.

    2- I understand the division of power by knowing power is set up in 3 different branches, legislative, executive, and judicial. Branches work together to run their country, each branch has their own power and a system of checks and balances.

    3- The federal government shape actions of state and local governments by providing grants and aids. For example, when the covid pandemic hit the government gave out 1.2k stimulus checks to help the states.

  6. 1) In my understanding, the role of citizens within the federal government is to primarily pay taxes. Thereafter, one must always obey federal and state laws; we are also granted to establish our opinion by voting. In the confederation system, citizens are considered to have more power because it will depend on local governments to govern the state and get the job done..The unitary system, power will be shared by a central government; as it forms one strong central government, it will then control the weaker states.

    2) Amongst my knowledge of the system of the division of powers, it is a method in which the government is divided into branches, each with separate responsibilities to maintain order, and so their powers are not intertwined and result in conflict for that state.

    3) The federal government has the opportunity to most certainly shape the actions of state governments. However, from it it may also equal the level of consequences towards the state. It is evidently presented within the profound example of the coronavirus pandemic. Thus, the federal government ultimately controls the nation as a whole. If an error is made the consequences will appear rather quickly. Yet the trust is also placed in each citizen to follow their orders. Among the actions of the New York State government amidst the pandemic, rules were placed to ensure the greatest possible amount of safety for all. Although if not listened, it has proven to result in the cases of the virus to increase rather rapidly. Therefore, in the efforts of the government to positively shape each community, assistance can be given by stimulus checks, to eliminate eviction policies and while providing support from food programs like SNAP.

    1. Hello Jessica, I agree that the role of citizens is to primarily pay taxes, this is true. As a citizen we are expected to pay our taxes and follow the laws put into place because the government provides everything else.

  7. 1. The differences are that residents are in the administration and are to regard and comply with the laws that are being made. The bureaucratic will guarantee that the forces being utilized are isolated and are powerful enough for the nearby governments. A confederation is distinctive on the grounds that it is engaged in having arrangements as opposed to the administration choosing so the residents are depending on only them to decide. The unitary framework is the inverse of the federal framework since one type of government has control as opposed to various types of intensity.

    2. How I comprehend the division of intensity is the way the administration is partitioned in isolated branches . In these branches they all have their own duties.These branches additionally have governing rules who all ensure no branches mishandle power.

    3. The government shapes the activities of state and nearby government by helping, upgrade and awards. With the progressing Covid pandemic the federal government has affected the activities of NY state and neighborhood governments by giving a one time alleviation crisis assets to the individuals who live in NY state. The neighborhood governments ordered all organizations to be shut aside from organizations that were/are deemed fundamental. The neighborhood government likewise gave asylums to the destitute, food supplies and gave testing locales to every individual who needed/expected to get tried because of the pandemic.

    1. The difference is based on how strong or weak the central government is, relative the local/state government. In a confederation, the central government is weak, in a federal system, the central government is strong…

  8. Renata Amsterdam
    POL 100
    Instructor: Professor Arto

    The capitalist classes of America drafted the same constitution which we see today. That alone tells us who truly benefits from the laws, cost of living, and the financial structure of today. The rich make the rules and the poor carries out services. To emphasize on this, think of the power structure and the connection to politics. To be president of the United States is to have power of attorney over every American citizen, politician, radicalistic, or foreign relation. The capitalist classes who drafted the constitution appointed authority to one particular figure to maintain order. To be a political figure is to be a part of the capitalist class, whereas the lower classes are to follow these views, appointed rules and regulations of government.
    The three branches of government and the officials that are appointed a position of power in those branches are the people who dictate society. Executive, legislative, and judicial branches are all subsidiaries of the capitalist system. The Executive branch consists of the president who sends out the executive orders. Congress is one of the divisions of power whose infrastructure was built to carry out the rules of our everyday lives. The Judicial system was created to prosecute any citizens who violate the laws of government. The capitalist class created and funded these systems of government in which they play a part in making sure society stays in line with the wishes of the powers that be.

    1. Very nice analysis, Renata, connecting government power, to the politics of the capitalist class. THis is very true, and we see it being played out today, in our election battle! The working class majority is completely outcast from the election battle (except, where it is allowed to vote…)!

  9. 1-The difference is that the federal system votes for the representatives, We have thE power to vote to get represenatives which we are granted. The confederate system relies on the local government giving the citizens more power while the unitary system just leaves all to the central government .
    2-My understanding of division of power is that its dividing so that no one can become the most powerful and over rule the other . This is so it limits one branch from doing the function of another branch.
    3-One way the federal government can shape the actions is by providing aid,grants and incentives. Local government really wants to get the money to help everyone that is in need . During the pandemic at some time the federal government let the local states choose when they want to open up or open up at all.During the pandemic the local made sure to shut down certain business to ensure the safety of everyone because people started dying left and right.The local government also provided free testing sites due to the pandemic so people can get tested for COVID 19.

  10. 1.Describe the primary differences in the role of citizens in government, among the federal, confederation, and unitary systems.
    ANSWER:

    Federal: .Sharing power between central gov and local gov.
    .U.S is a good example of a federal republic.
    .Gives specific powers to the nation government and shares it with political entities also known as the landers.
    .Citizens votes for representatives

    Confederation: Citizens has more power because the government is the mostly relied on a lot by the system itself.
    .Retains powers of a independent nation
    .Maintain a military force

    Unitary: .Citizens leaves all the of the responsibilities to the central government
    .Holds most powers
    .Makes the government the dependent value of the national government.

    2. Briefly explain how you understand the system of division of power.

    ANSWER: I understand the system of division of power because its like the governments cosmic balance with the three branches. each branch has it sets of responsibilities, laws, members and equal amount of power too. with the three branches taking the responsibility of there roles in the each branch it brings a balance to the government overall. if one branch had more power then the other two then it would lead to chaos and things would be unbalanced. I believe this is a better way to understand and see how division of power is explained and visualized.

    3. How does the federal government shape the actions of state and local governments?
    Write your answer based on doing a bit of research on how the federal government has influenced the actions of NY state and local governments, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    ANSWER: With the pandemic of Covid 19 in the picture people wonder how does the federal government takes action of the state and local government. one of the actions the federal government shows is providing food, mask gloves sanitizers for essential and non essential workers , unemployment and stimulus checks and letting local states choosing which businesses should they reopen.

  11. Describe the primary differences in the role of citizens in government, among the federal, confederation, and unitary systems.

    Federal system citizens vote for representatives, confederation have more power because they rely on its local government. In the unitary system citizens leaves everything to the central government.

    Briefly explain how you understand the system of division of power.

    In my understanding, system of division of power separates power and responsibilities between the national government and the state government. They both have separate jobs.

    How does the federal government shape the actions of state and local governments? Write your answer based on doing a bit of research on how the federal government has influenced the actions of NY state and local governments, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The federal government shapes the actions of state and local government by providing us with food and things that its necessary for this pandemic. They will also provide those who are unemployed with benefits and checks. So that we are financially and mentally stable in this pandemic. It is their job to keep us safe and healthy.

  12. 1. The primary differences in the role of citizens in government, among the federal, confederation, and unitary systems is that the with the federal system, because citizens vote for representatives and they have the power to really make sure the law is effective. The confederation system citizens have more power because they rely on the local government. The unitary system relays on the central government, and they control the weaker states.

    2. The way I understand the system of division of power is the government getting divided, it being the national government and the state government and spreading the responsibilities.

    3. One way the federal government shapes the state and local government is by providing grants and aids for them. One way the federal government has influence the actions of New York state and local governments during the COVID-19 pandemic is by providing funds, and financial aid.

  13. 1. Describe the primary differences in the role of citizens in government, among the federal, confederation, and unitary systems.
    Federal: Establish 2 levels of government chosen by the people, people statesgovernment
    Confederation: Authority is focused on the states: states  government
    Unitary system: Authority Is focused in the central government: National government  states

    2. Briefly explain how you understand the system of division of power.

    Based on what I have learned, I believe that division of power is dividing the power of government in order for no branch to overpower anyone. It keeps things equal and in place.

    3. How does the federal government shape the actions of state and local governments? Write your answer based on doing a bit of research on how the federal government has influenced the actions of NY state and local governments, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Federal government can shape the actions of state local governments because of the Commerce Clause which gives congress power. The federal government has influenced the actions of New York State and local governments during the COVID-19 pandemic by Providing unemployment benefits since many people were losing their jobs. They were also trying to provide different services for everyone that was affected because of the pandemic.

  14. 1. In a unitary system, all political powers are centralized. It refers to the type of government where the central government has total power of its subjects in that its subdivisions must carry out all the directives as presented to them by the central government without questions thereby having no power to act on their own. The citizens’ roles are limited as they leave almost everything to the central government. On the other hand, the federal system is a two-level government whereby power is shared by a powerful central government and states that are considered self-rule. The role of its citizens is voting for the representatives. A confederation system, where a weak organization of states are bound by the agreement to follow a central government. The smaller governments in terms of states, provinces and regions, yield more power than the central government. The citizens have more power since this system relies heavily on its local governments.

    2. The concept of division of powers refers to the principle that sovereignty is divided between governments. There are two general ways to divide their powers in modern democracies, including common mechanism sharing of powers and federalism. In some countries, such as the U.S., they use a combination of both structures. The common mechanism of sharing powers involves the division of power through three major arms of the government: the legislature, judiciary, and executive. In federalism, there is the apportioning of powers between two levels of government – national and subnational. In America, the term “federal government” is the national, and “state” is the subnational governments.

    3. The United States adopted federalism, whereby the division of power is done on two levels: the national and subnational (States). Federalism refers to the institutional arrangement creating two relatively autonomous government levels whereby each level possesses certain powers to act directly in people’s best interest as mandated by the constitution. The two government levels are governed by the public’s representative, with each assigned different function. In America, the states and the federal government have exclusive and concurrent powers, which helps explain the negotiations over the balance of powers (Kelly). The federal government can encourage states to adopt policies through federal aid programs. For instance, in New York during the pandemic, the federal government enacted the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which requires employers to provide full-time workers with two weeks paid leave if they get sick.

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