| From Classbrain.com's History & Government Watergate - The Aftermath
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from Watergate
Aftermath
Some commentators
attribute the increased level of cynicism about politics to the Watergate
affair. The media becomes more
confident and aggressive. Watergate was unraveled by the Washington Post
reporters, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Their work led to the development
of teams of "investigative" reporters on newspapers around the world.
"Deep Throat" became an everyday term, referring to the anonymous
official who leaked information to Woodward and Bernstein. A new wave of Democratic
congressmen is elected in 1976 and there are dramatic changes in the
composition of committee chairmanships. Many of Nixon's
subordinates are jailed, some discover religion, and others write books. Political scandals are
termed "--gate". Nixon sets about to
rehabilitate his reputation, writing books and traveling the world. He dies on
April 22nd 1994 at the age of 81. In 1995, Oliver Stone
produces a film called "Nixon", starring Anthony Hopkins as Nixon. The film is
condemned by the Nixon family. Former Vice-President
Spiro Agnew dies on September 17, 1995, in Berlin, Maryland, aged 77. 
Political Values and
Watergate
Watergate provides useful
material for analyzing the operation of the President, Congress or Supreme
Court. It gives some idea of the interplay between the 3 arms of the American
political system and of the political values underpinning the constitutional
framework. Congressional committees
(Senate Watergate & House Judiciary) - The operation of these committees demonstrate a fundamental
difference between the Australian and American political systems. US
congressional committees have much more independence and power than parliamentary
committees in Australia. The inquiries undertaken by the Senate Watergate
Committee were crucial in securing Nixon's resignation. The recommendation by
the Judiciary Committee to impeach the president was carried by the votes of
both Democrat and Republican members. Supreme Court Power
Over The Executive Branch - The
checks and balances built into the US system were demonstrated by the rulings
of the Court that Nixon release the tapes of Oval Office conversations. Presidential Executive
Power, And The White House Office -
Nixon claimed "executive privilege" for the White House tapes and
other documents. His personal staff, particularly Haldeman and Erlichman,
demonstrate the power that the White House office can exercise. Unlike Cabinet
appointments, these positions are not subject to Senate confirmation. Separation of powers - No member of any of the 3 arms of the US
government may belong to any of the other arms. Checks and balances - The Watergate scandal demonstrates the complex
web of safeguards built into the American Constitution. On the one hand, the
President is the Head of Government, but does not control the Legislature.
Unlike a Westminster Prime Minister, the President cannot dissolve Congress.
While the President may nominate members of the Judicial arm of our government,
they require Senate approval. Similarly, the President serves a fixed 4-year
term and may only be removed following an impeachment process that must begin
in the House of Representatives. The President may only be removed from office
by a vote of the Senate. Values of
accountability and responsibility
- the removal of Richard Nixon demonstrates an array of accountability
processes. Whilst serving a fixed term of office, the President is accountable to
the House of Representatives, the chamber that most directly reflects the most
recent opinion of the nation. However, in keeping with the Federalist values of
the Founding Fathers, it is only in the Senate where each state, regardless of
population, is represented by two Senators that may vote to remove the
President. These notes are Copyright
© Malcolm Farnsworth. © Copyright 2003 by ClassBrain.com |
