Essay on The Social Security Debate
Introduction
In William Domhoff’s book Who Rules America: Power and Politics, the author is focused on sociological analysis of important issues that help to better understand how class and power work in the United States. The information provided by William Domhoff allows the reader to critically assess the key skills of competent citizenship. Assessing two organizations, Booking Institution and Heritage Foundation, it is necessary to take into consideration social security issues discussed in the book. Social security debate involves different opinions of the effectiveness of the existing social security policy (Greider, 2005). William Domhoff has developed criticism of the organizational or institutional capacity of the U.S. political and business elite in shaping public opinion. William Domhoff believes that public opinion can be used to move social security policy only in the context of political agendas of powerful political and business elites (Domhoff, 2014).
The Social Security Debate: Assessment of Two Organizations
Brookings Institution
1) The organization Brookings Institution is a non-profit public policy organization headquartered in Washington, DC. The organization’s mission is “to conduct high-quality, independent research and, based on that research, to provide innovative, practical recommendations that advance three broad goals: strengthen American democracy; foster the economic and social welfare, security and opportunity of all Americans; and secure a more open, safe, prosperous and cooperative international system” (Brookings Institution, Official Website, 2014).
2) The political viewpoint of this organization can be characterized as corporate-conservative organization. Brookings Institution serves as an effective coordination mechanism. According to Domhoff (2014), “Brookings Institution is “mainstream or on the right wing”(97).
3) Brookings Institution is a non-profit public policy organization. It is involved in the policu planning process. The organization has direct relation to the model of class, power and politics discussed by Domhoff in his book. Brookings Institution is considered to be a think tank in the U.S., which is focused on international development issues, domestic economic policy and social policy implementation.
4) The views about social security expressed at the organizations’ website are different. According to some experts, “Social Security is that action should be taken as soon as possible to close the projected long-term imbalance” (Aaron, 2013, p.1). It has been found that social security faces a crisis today. Researchers state the U.S. Social Security benefits are lower than in other developed countries. They claim that “the lifetime value of U.S. Social Security benefits is 40 percent lower than the average of those nations” (Aaron, 2013, p.1). According to the official information provided by Brookings Institution, social security policy launched in 1935, has provided millions of American citizens with the requires amount of income for retirement. However, today “more money is collected in Social Security taxes from workers than is paid out to retirees” (Social Security policy, 2014, p.1). However, the situation will be changes as “baby boomers” start to retire and the workforce shrinks due to the recession. The U.S. government provides various strategies to fill the gap, e.g. increased borrowing and taxes or paying fewer benefits.
5) My own critical evaluation of this site is based on the validity of information provided by the organization. The facts are properly stated and documented. The interpretations are convincingly supported by facts and other evidence, such as documents. The policy proposals are convincing.
Heritage Foundation
1) Heritage Foundation is a well-known research and educational institution that was founded in 1973. The organization’s mission is “to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense” (Heritage Foundation, Official Website, 2014).
2) The political viewpoint of this organization can be characterized as ultra conservative. According to Domhoff (2014), Heritage Foundation hires “young ultra conservatives who are willing to attack all government programs” (97).
3) Heritage Foundation is non-profit organization, which is involved in the opinion shaping process. The activity of this organization relates to the model of class, power and politics discussed by Domhoff in his book. The organization pursues its goals by conducting accurate research on significant policy issues, and sharing these findings with the primary audiences, including the members of the U.S. Congress, the staff members of Congress, the key policymakers, the nation’s news media representatives, as well as the members of the policy communities (Heritage Foundation, Official Website, 2014).
4) The issue regarding social security is discussed at the organization’s website. The organization is focused on negative opinion regarding current social security policy. According to experts, “Social Security’s finances significantly worsened last year, according to the 2012 trustees report, because of a weakened economy and structural problems with the program”(Heritage Foundation, Official Website, 2014).
5) My critical evaluation of the site is based on the information provided by the organization. The facts are properly stated and documented. The interpretations are convincingly supported by facts and statistical data. The policy proposals are clear and convincing.
Conclusion
Thus, it is necessary to conclude that both organizations involved in the social security debate agree with the fact that social security faces a crisis today. Considerable changes in social security policy should be made to solve current social security problems. The U.S. government should improve economic system in order to develop effective social security programs, paying due attention to the U.S. demographics.
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