What Are the Major Reasons for the Diffusion of Power

question 5

Essay

What are the major reasons for the diffusion of power in the government? Discuss.D.C.Three major reasons for this are (1)reforms in Congress,(2)the decline of political parties,and (3)increased complexity of government.
Reforms in Congress: Traditionally,a few party leaders and powerful committee chairs ran the House and Senate autocratically.In 1974,there was an uprising of junior legislators who passed procedural reforms to democratize Congress.After 1974,subcommittees could hold hearings on any subject they wished;they developed large staffs and often became small fiefdoms of independent action.Business lobbyists had to contact nearly every member of a committee or subcommittee to get support for a measure,rather than just the chair.
The decline of political parties: The media,particularly television,began to supplant the parties as a source of information about candidates.After 1974,increasingly independent legislators appealed directly to corporations and interests for contributions.The electorate grew more educated and independent than in past eras.More people split their ballots and used decision cues other than party labels.For all these reasons,the power of parties has ebbed over time.
Increased complexity of government: With the growth in size and complexity of the federal government,Washington today is a maze of competing power centers.Relations among these power centers continuously shift as emerging issues glide across the political landscape.The sum of government activity has growing significance to business;corporations are far more politically active than in past eras.The government's actions are critical to company operations.Bills passed by Congress directly affect earnings.Legislation affects taxes,import/export rules,defense spending,health care costs,the dollar exchange rate,and more.

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Definitions:

Fixed Costs

Expenses that do not change with the level of production or sales.

Depreciation Tax Shield

The Depreciation Tax Shield refers to the reduction in income tax a company achieves through deducting depreciation expenses, thus lowering its taxable income.

Straight-Line Method

An accounting method of depreciation where an asset's cost is reduced equally over its useful life.

Project Life

The duration over which a project is expected to operate or be productive before it is decommissioned or ends.