IndexIntroductionGovernment structureThe political machine and the monsterThe point of viewThe political landscapeConclusionIntroductionIn 1651, the philosopher Thomas Hobbes wrote the book Leviathan. In the book, Hobbes uses a monster from the Bible, Leviathan, to describe government. Hobbes then outlines the political monster and political machine within the government and states that the best form of government is an absolute monarchy. Which, when compared to the US government, seems very different. Using the metaphor of a monster from Hobbes' work, or the term political machine, accurately describes the central government because it describes what the political landscape looked like in America, in the past, and how it continues to look today. Viewing the central government as a monster proves advantageous to politicians, lobbyists, and the citizens who support their causes. An example of this can be found in the 1939 film, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. On the contrary, the political machine can entail disadvantages for the government, its officials and ignorant and/or innocent citizens; because it can lead to a variety of negative outcomes for people, especially those whose views or opinions contradict those of the machine. The political machine will influence the United States in the future as it has in the past and present. Because of partisanship and its relevance in the political landscape of the United States, the past and future effects of the machine will continue to prove to have both beneficial and negative effects on the country and the people. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayGovernment StructureThe United States government is divided into three branches; the executive, legislative and judicial branches. Within each of the three branches there are various organizations, groups and committees with various tasks. In the United States government, the three branches create a system of checks and balances and allow for the distribution of power throughout the government system. During the American Revolution, the Founding Fathers wanted a strong, just government that protected people's individual liberties. However, Hobbes believed in the idea of ​​contractualism, which is the idea that people are mostly selfish; but rational people are willing to act morally and obey governmental authority. During the English Revolution, Thomas Hobbes argued that the best form of government was an absolute monarchy. Hobbes proposed the concept that the absolute monarch would maintain order and provide essential services to run an efficient form of government. The Political Machine and the MonsterThe officials and politicians involved in the machine focus on remaining in government power for as long as possible, rather than on providing a well-functioning government. However, to their supporters and innocent or ignorant people it may appear that government works well because it benefits them. For example, in the 1780s the Tammany Hall political machine gained popularity and loyal voters primarily due to the machine's willingness and effort to help poor and immigrant citizens. These immigrants and poor citizens benefited from the machine and therefore thought that the political machine provided services and provided a well-functioning government. The machine or monster therefore exists because people allow it. Thomas Hobbes states in his introduction to Leviathan that: "For by art is created that great Leviathan called the Commonwealth, or State which is but an artificial man...". Found on the cover of Leviathan depicts a monarchy; or the Leviathan holding a sword and a bishop's crozier and wearing a crown. The sword represents military power, theepiscopal pastoral religious power, and finally the crown represents the monarch himself. The body of the Leviathan is made up of the people of the state, making the head of the monarch the literal head of the state. The cover of Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan symbolizes how Leviathan is directly connected to and supported by the people. The monster depicted on the cover of the book is made up of various parts. As Hobbes describes as an artificial man which he uses as a metaphor to further his point about what government looks like. Thomas Hobbes goes on to argue that this monster is necessary because it protects people from the law of nature. Hobbes goes on to state that: “For the laws of nature, which consist of equity, justice, gratitude, and other moral virtues dependent upon these, are of mere nature not laws of property, but qualities which dispose men to peace and to obedience". .”Both the concept of political machine and monster accurately describe the central government of the United States. The machine accurately describes the central government because similar to the Leviathan, inside the machine the pieces of government are all connected to each other. As seen in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, the head of the machine is an individual or organization that operates the machine. With the head the mouth represents the media trying to promote the boss's agenda. The body is connected to the head, and is formed by the ignorant or innocent citizens; whose main objective is to keep the head in its position. The hands symbolize the senators and other officials who carry out work for the bosses of the machine. Finally, the feet symbolize the innocent victims who are under the car; and be trampled upon. The Point of View Viewing the government as a monster or a political machine is useful because you can see how a monster relates to the federal government today. The monster refers directly to a monarchy, because people fear the monster as they fear the monarchy; and the monster rules completely alone. However, viewing the federal government as a monster has its drawbacks because it goes against what the machine wants the person to do and say. The machine wants the person put in office to believe what the machine is for regardless of what they actually feel or say, which causes political partisanship. Political partisanship causes people to have blind loyalty to a particular cause or party. This view directly ties into today's current political landscape, because people believe that the president of the United States can make all decisions and is treated as the sole sovereign. This therefore allows the president to be considered as a monarchy. When the president is given the image of a monarchy, this allows the people to create a Leviathan or a new monster. Viewing the federal government as a political machine can influence the political future of the United States. Viewing the federal government as a political machine has both advantages and disadvantages. An example of this can be found in the movie Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. In the film it is seen that politicians are influenced by machine leaders and other external sources. Throughout the film, those who supported and listened to what the machine told them were able to remain in charge for long periods of time. This can be observed in politics today by politicians who are kept in office for long periods of time and seemingly fly under the radar. This turns out to be an advantage because it rewards those who support the machine and align themselves with it. On the other hand, this can be a disadvantage for politicians who go against or express a contrary opinion to what the machine tells them to say or do. . This causes the politician to oppose the party in his.