Media Influence On National Security

Words: 834
Pages: 4
Open Document
Social construct theory can explain the various changes in national security up until this point and even beyond. This theory states that “individual perception and understanding is the product of direct or indirect experiences, what is seen, what is learned, what is believed, and the awareness of these experiences.” The media has played an enormous role throughout our nation's history when it comes to political decisions, and oftentimes American citizens derived their information about national security policy from media outlets. In effect, the media has shaped U.S. national security by making people aware of certain situations or world events and by ignoring others. The media is a means of legitimization, or gaining support for new or existing …show more content…
focused its efforts upon heralding in the downfall of the Soviet empire, and then the September 11th events forced it to become more proactive toward national security. Today, we are in the post-decisional stage of national security policy, and yet the government is rather divided about how the policy should continue to develop. The Democrat-run Obama administration in the executive branch would rather enact diplomacy or sanctions to help ease tensions worldwide, while the Republican-run Congress in the legislative branch tends to favor military intervention as a means of preemption. This dichotomy between the executive and legislative branches creates backlog and often interferes with policy-making decisions. However, there is bipartisan agreement about taking a more proactive approach toward national security, yet now the issue that remains is how to go about doing so in order to minimize risk and maximize …show more content…
The terrorist attacks of 2001 served as a means for the government to quickly identify problems in the agenda-setting phase. The policy formulation was rather rushed due to the importance of passing the legislation at the time and objectives were chosen quickly in a time of chaos and despair for many Americans. The legitimization phase was rather swift as well, because people were depressed and scared of future terrorist attacks. Implementation occurred over several stages as the government reorganized and new federal agencies were added. Evaluation of the policy occurs on a continual basis and was criticized heavily after the Edward Snowden scandal which brought forth the question of liberty vs. privacy. Policy maintenance includes succession of the Act, and in 2011 President Obama chose to extend provisions contained within the Act for an additional four years. Therefore, although U.S. national security is one broad policy, it continues to change and be impacted by multiple other policy
Show More

Related Documents: Media Influence On National Security

America's Ashes Film Analysis

Provides a critical examination of power dynamics and elite influence within American society, particularly within the context of the Bush Administration and the events surrounding the September, 11th, 2001 attacks. Michael Moore explores how the connections between political elites, corporate interests, and wealthy families shape policy decisions and perpetuate inequality. One prominent example in the film is the Bush family's close ties to the Saudi royal family, including the bin Laden family…

Words 685 - Pages 3

History Review 1320 Essay

-Types of securities of foreign policy? Foreign Policy Chp.18 Part #2 - Foreign policy post cold war ? -What are the two things needed to make a nation work? -Military expenditures ? -Goals of economic prosperity are what ? -The most favored nation status ? -NAFTA ? -WTO? -International humanitarian policies? -The six influences of foreign policy ? -The six players involved in the bureaucracy ? -National security council ? -Who does the national security council…

Words 893 - Pages 4

19th Century American Foreign Policy

National Foreign Policy is affected by many factors, but perhaps the most influential factor is national self interest. In other words, the foreign policy of a nation is reflective of what actually benefits the nation the most. Over the course of America’s history it is evident that made decisions were made and based off of the national self interest of our country. So why exactly was it is The United State’s national self interest to become imperialistic, enter World War 1 and then to reject the…

Words 952 - Pages 4

Essay on Social Security

Social Security Tamiko Holloman Strayer University PAD 510-Intro. To Public Policy Analysis Dr. Thomas Walkington December 11, 2014 Historical Perspective on Social Security The purpose of this paper is to critique a policy across two different presidential administrations. It begins with a historical perspective, followed by the social, economic, and political environments associated with molding the program. It will also identify a couple issues across two presidential administrations within…

Words 3254 - Pages 14

Independent Journalism Essay

Media verses Independent Journalism. In the United States there are numerous sources of news and media. With every source comes a different perspective on the current topic or issue being reported to the people of this country. There are many who believe that some of these news sources are influenced by the government or companies who have hidden agendas or will benefit from a false representation of the story. However, those who believe this and go against mainstream media and news sources are…

Words 1443 - Pages 6

Pros And Cons Of Racial Profiling

Racial Profiling Racial profiling stated by American Civil Liberties, is defined as the discriminatory practice by law enforcement officials of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on the individual’s race, ethnicity, religion or national origin. Racial profiling is commonly known to happen in large cities like New York City. It happens to the most innocent people just from what they look like, and the stereotypes that were created. Racial profiling occurs despite the Constitutional…

Words 581 - Pages 3

Alan Turing's Use Of Code Of Ethics In The United States

authorized to do so (Copeland 102). Several security analysts claim that actions by the National Security Agency despite breaking the codes of ethics are by protecting the American population. By analysing information sent through various communication media, the government can scrutinize and identify any planned terrorist activities or crimes planned to be committed. I am in support of NSA's actions since they are geared towards improving the State's security and they should be excused from infringing…

Words 566 - Pages 3

Fatwa: Islam and Political Islam Essay

response Piñar, Section AB May 30, 2015 Fatwas aren’t political! From a young age us “westerners” have been ingrained with perceptions about the Muslim world, due to the politics of the Muslim majority countries and the media representation of said countries. All to often the US media focuses on Huntington’s clash of civilizations, an argument that the world is involved in a war between religions, and all Islamic followers are opponents to the secular west. This is evident in their sole publication…

Words 1724 - Pages 7

California Crisis Analysis

principle. A reform idea to lower the power of growing interest groups that tend to overtake politics is to restrict the initiative process—allowing for more citizen involvement and a cut to professional signature collectors that would directly influence high-spending interest groups (Anagnoson et al. 11-13). Perhaps the most notable difference—that is also causing issues—between the state of California’s government and the Federal branches is direct democracy. This is largely due to the aftereffects…

Words 1485 - Pages 6

Diefenbaker Case Summary

In order to protect the Liberal minority government, Prime Minister Pearson requested that the RCMP send him all security files regarding Members of Parliament dating back to 1954 when Diefenbaker was Prime Minister. In the files, Pearson discovered Munsinger’s past involving alleged espionage and her relationship with Sevigny. According Brian Palmer, Pearson’s file request was an attempt to seek revenge on Diefenbaker’s government and to protect the Liberal government’s integrity. Pearson’s “fishing…

Words 812 - Pages 4