..and so to the third (and final) book in my US Politics book ‘blitz’. This was actually the longest (at 165 pages) and probably the driest, in places, of all three books. Starting with the invention of the position – which almost didn’t happen as some of the original drafters of the Constitution wanted a 12 man committee rather than a single man in charge. Plus the role was almost called ‘Governor’ rather than President… Then moving on to how the President found his feet and settled into his constitutional role. Then onto how Presidents are elected (and other ways they gain office!), how the role has changed over time and expanded as the role of government expanded. The final sections (the largely dry bit) looked in more detail of how the President functions within government and how he fits into the larger governmental landscape.
As I’ve still very much a novice in respect to the US political system (something that these 3 books was a hesitant attempt to begin to rectify) a portion of this book passed without much sound over my head. My knowledge of the intricacies of how US Government (or indeed my own Government) operates revolves mostly around pop culture references in TV shows and movies. I’d need to read a lot more than this to truly get my head around things – but little steps and all that. I have quite a few US culture and politics references coming up so I’ll have a greater appreciation of things in the next few years no doubt.
In larger news I thought the book blitz idea worked really well (at least in theory) so I’ll be doing that again. The next one is likely to be in August with a further one over Christmas. The August event – already in the pipeline with be on ‘Empire’ with 4 books planned over 9 days. Should be a good one. More VSI to come no doubt.
7 comments:
i've been thinking about reading the Constitution for my blog, but i can't figure out how i'd summarize it... dumb idea anyway, probably...
I think that a lot of Americans do not really understand our system of government.
I think that if we ended up with a committee instead of a President it would have ended up unstable. Perhaps there would have been reform and we would have ended up with a President anyway.
Good going on your blitz. I am almost finished with The Passage of Power by Robert Caro, the fourth in his volumes about Lyndon B Johnson. From these books I have learned quite a bit about the interaction of the Executive and Legislative branches of our government. It is only from watching The Crown that I got some idea of how the British system works. Democracy is tough but I think it is the best form of government around. Checks and balances. Then again, I always think of the Roman Empire and how it did not last despite being a Republic of sorts.
@ Mudpuddle: Probably *very* difficult to summarise I'm thinking!
@ Brian: I wonder how many people of *any* country understands how their governments work? I think there are some who might have an idea but the whole thing? Probably not!
@ Judy: It wasn't *too* difficult. The VSI books are only short (obviously) and often run to only 120 pages - plus usually they're really good! Democracy when it works well is probably the best form of government we're developed so far. Although it's under strain ATM I think it'll be around for a long while yet. Room for improvement though [grin].
You probably understand more about the US government than most of its citizens. 🙁 It drives me crazy having to constantly explain to my history students how their government works to get them to understand something else I’m covering in history. This is usually stuff I learned in elementary school but somehow these current generations aren’t being taught any of it in any grade. 😡
I know I shouldn't be but I am constantly amazed and horrified at the general level of ignorance out there. People look at me sometimes and say "How do you know this stuff?" "Because I read Books and I Remember things" I say - followed up by "How do you NOT know this stuff!"
i'm only 5'6" so i have to be more diplomatic... i don't talk to people anyway, mostly...
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