The Analysis of the Politics of Michigan

1 Introduction

            The political life is very complex but voters should be aware of the political development of their state and their country to be able to make conscious choices and vote for representatives that can stand for the same ideas and interests voters stand for too. In this regard, it is possible to refer to the analysis of the politics of Michigan and the role of individual politics, such as Senator Justin Amash in the political development of the state and the nation at large. The analysis of the politics in Michigan and activities and position of Justin Amash shows a considerable impact of politics on the development of the state and the nation.

2 Michigan Politics Background

2.1 History of Michigan politics

            Michigan became one of the major industrial centers of the US. The industrial revolution that had started in the US had brought Michigan not only economic but also political influence in the US. Michigan became a fast growing state with booming economy. The economic growth was particularly fast after World War II, when the economy was growing fast and so did the middle-class. Many workers improved their socioeconomic position and joined the middle-class, purchased property and created the basis of the middle-class. In political terms, such economic changes and the formation of the strong middle-class along with the growth of the prosperity of the state contributed to the growing popularity of conservative political forces, which were represented by the Republican Party because they were associated with traditional American values and lifestyle that brought the middle-class to success in Michigan.

            However, the economic crisis caused by the oil crises in 1973 caused growing tension between pro-Republican majority of the state population and pro-Democratic racial minorities of the state. Tensions were so significant that the government had to deploy the military. The 1980s and 1990s brought further changes that ended up in the de-industrialization of the state and profound change of the socioeconomic structure of the state (Rubenstein & Ziewacz, 2002). The economic decline of many families and profound changes enhanced the position of the Republican Party which became dominant in the state in the 2000s and now holds a strong position in the state. Many voters in Michigan stand for the Republican Party because they have the vision of their successful and prosperous past, while the traditionalist, conservative position of the Republican Party nourishes their hopes that the Republicans will revive that successful past.

2.2 Current situation in Michigan politics

            In such a situation, successes of the Democratic Party in Michigan were fragmentary, although they also occurred. The political landscape of the state has been shaped by the history of its economic development. The large share of the working class that shifted t the middle-class created conditions for the enhancement of the position of the Republican Party in the state, while racial minorities and the economic decline of the state because of the de-industrialization created opportunities for the Democrats but their political position and economic policies still discourage the predominantly-white middle-class to support the Democrats which stand for the wider inclusion of minorities and the poor, while representatives of the middle-class believe the Republican Party is more likely to stand for their interests and the position of this party is closer to them (Mitchell, 2009).

            Therefore, now Michigan is basically pro-Republican state, where the Republicans hold a strong position. Efforts of the Democrats brought them provisional successes but still their position in the state is quite weak. The electorate may be divided into several groups. First and the largest group consists of representatives of the middle-class, who are predominantly white and stand for traditional American values and stick to the conservative policy of the Republican Party. Second group consists of racial minorities, who stand for the Democrats, which they hope are capable to change their position, put the end to racial inequality and open the way for wider job and economic opportunities for them. There are also white poor, whose position may vary but many of them also support the Republican Party and believe it can help them to improve their socioeconomic position. On the other hand, many poor count on social programs supported by the Democrats and the poor also support the Democratic Party in response.

3 Justin Amash

3.1 Amash’s background

            Justin Amash was born to the family of immigrants. His father was immigrant from Palestine, while his mother was the immigrant from Syria. They were Orthodox that influenced the religious worldview and beliefs of Justin Amash, who is Greek Orthodox. At the same time, Justin Amash focused his education on the study of economy and obtained his BA in economics, when he graduated from the University of Michigan. Later, in 2005, he earned his JD at the University of Michigan Law School. On graduating from the University of Michigan, Amash started to work in his family business as the consultant to his family’s tool business. He worked as the corporate attorney for his family business for a year and was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2008 that was the start of his political career, which he continued successfully to win the Senator office in 2010 and to become one of the youngest Senators in the US history.

3.2 Amash as a Senator

            At the position of the Senator, Justin Amash stood for traditional values of the Republican Party. In this regard, his key political views involved the policy of the non-interference of the government into the economic development and maintenance of the people sovereignty with regard to the government and are very critical in regard to the federal government involvement in economic issues and spending of the federal government on state-related issues. At this point, it is possible to refer to his criticism of the federal government in the Flint Water Crisis. He was the only Senator, who criticized the decision of the federal government to provide the financial support to resolve the Flint Water Crisis (Reens, 2016). Instead, Amash insisted on the state government support and involvement to resolve the Flint Water Crisis (Reens, 2016). The crisis and the position of Amash revealed his position in regard to the relationship between the state and the federal government. He stood for the clear separation of the authority of the state and federal government and was very critical in regard to attempts of the federal government to interference into intrastate affairs, which Amash believes to be unacceptable.

            He also stands for the minimization of government spending. This is why he supports the cut of the US spending on the military and the refusal of the US from overseas military operations. He was very critical in regard to Obama’s decision to deploy the US military in Syria and in the struggle against ISIL. He also insist on the non-interference of the government into economic development and liberalization of the economic development of the US. He also supports traditional Republican policies and views on abortion, same-sex marriage, and marijuana legalization and rejects such initiatives. At the same time, he stands for traditional American civil rights and liberties and protection of Constitutional rights and liberties of Americans as they were, regardless of existing threats. For example, he voted against the re-authorization of the Patriot Act in 2011.

3.3 Criticism of Amash

            The criticism of Amash mainly refers his conservative position which is traditional for the Republicans. For example, his rejection of abortion and same-sex marriage makes him vulnerable to criticism from the part of feminist and sexual minority organizations. The Flint Water Scandal was another subject to criticism of Amash because he was against the federal government support of the Flint community. However, that case revealed his principal position that the federal government should not interfere into intrastate affairs. He was also criticized for his position concerning the cut of the government spending because his opponents argued that the government cannot cut spending in the time of emerging external threats, including the threat from the part of international terrorist organizations. Amsh’s position concerning the involvement of the US in the Middle East and military operations in Syria and ISIL evoked his criticism because his opponents insisted on his lack of strategic vision and rise of external threats to the US in a long-run perspective.

4 Michigan Politics and Politicians in the context of the US national politics

 4.1 Common trends in Michigan and national politics

            The development of Michigan politics and the political landscape mirrors, to a significant extent, the national political landscape. In this regard, the fast economic growth in the post-World War II period determined the rise of the wealth of Americans and created the ground for the support of the Republican Party nowadays, when the old days of the fast industrialization have gone and the US has undergone the de-industrialization. The profound change in the economy of the state and the nation contributed to the enhancement of the position of the conservative Republican Party because voters hope for the return of those old days, when the industrial growth provided Americans with fast rise of their wealth and wellbeing.

4.2 State politics’ specificities

            At the same time, the state has the industrial past and suffered profound changes compared to less industrialized states that influenced not only the economy of the state but also its politics. Such a change contributed to the enhancement of the Republicans and created conditions for their success in the state. Also, the state politics tends to traditional policies and avoids radical reforms that may challenge traditional American values.

5 Conclusion

            Thus, the politics has a considerable impact on the development of the state and the nation, but it is voters, who make their decisions and let politicians like Justin Amash and political parties to gain a strong hold on the state and federal politics and define the development of the state and the nation. The awareness of voters is important in terms of making choices that mirror their vision of the development of their state and their nation. They vote to support the representative, who can stand for their interests and their ideas. At the same time, representatives and policy makers have to take into consideration the position of many interest groups because often they come into clashes as was the case of Michigan, when the state experienced the turmoil and social unrest in the 1970s caused by economic problems and lack of the political leadership and mediation.

References:

Mitchell, R.E. (Spring 2009). Civil War Recruiting and Recruits from Ever-Changing Labor Pools: Midland County, Michigan, as a Case Study, Michigan Historical Review, 35, 29–60.

Reens, N. (January 19, 2016). Justin Amash stood alone opposing Flint water federal aid bid, MLive.com. Retrieved from http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2016/01/justin_amash_stands_alone_oppo.html#incart_story_package

Rubenstein, B.A. and Ziewacz, L.E. (2002). Michigan: A History of the Great Lakes State.Detroit: New Publishers.

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
Available at:

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]
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