Stories of Government in John McDonough's Experiencing Politics

Generally speaking, Experiencing Politics details what it is like for a legislator in the world of politics. John McDonough explains various political theoretical models and then relates them back to experiences he had during his time as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Not only does he relay these case stories to the reader to emphasize the points of the models he describes, but he also attempts to help the reader to become more politically savvy and aware of the processes that occur in government.

Politics is defined as “the way people decide who gets what, when, where, how, and why—without resorting to violence” (McDonough 20). The author asserts that politics is the alternative pathway for a society to make decisions besides choosing violent means to go about doing so. Instead of using force, politicians use words and the method of persuasion in order to get what they want. When a society has a group of people who feel they are not fairly represented by their elected officials, they will often turn to violence in order to implement changes to the political process that will put in place the rules and regulations they are seeking.

However, politics is not just limited to what most people would consider politics. These same forces that are present in institutions such as Congress are also present in places like the home, school, churches, hospitals, and private businesses. At the core of politics are relationships. When a political candidate is able to connect with voters on a certain level, the bond that is established can mean all the difference between being victorious or being crushed by an opponent.

Discourse Theory is the first theoretical model that McDonough describes. This theory s...

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...ok helped to paint a picture of how much work goes into legislation on both sides of the aisle. It demonstrated how each person who is involved in politics believes in whatever legislation they are fighting for or against. I don’t think that many people have a realization of how much hard work is necessary on the part of policymakers in order to implement policy changes. This is a concept that is emphasized continuously throughout the book, especially in McDonough’s life stories, and helped me to gain even more respect for those that work every day representing the American people. I think it also helps to paint a picture of the great importance that legislators have when it comes to how our nation and states function. There is an ability on their part to either enact great change for the betterment of society or to miss that chance if the timing isn’t right.