Nixon & the Watergate Scandal ???

Question

Do you think that the Watergate scandal has had an enduring effect on the public's perception of government power today or not? Why do you feel this way, please.

Thank you =)

Answer 1

Watergate was something of the last straw for trust in politics in our society. For a decade young people began seriously questioning the government based on what they saw as an unjust war (Vietnam). They became very distrustful of government in general during this time. Their actions slowly worked their way into the American consciousness as a result of protests and constant media attention. Watergate only served to solidify this as an administration was brought down by criminal wrong-doing and excessive abuse of power. It was truly the end of innocence.

Answer 2

I think it has. Before Watergate, a US President was generally considered to be beyond reproach. Since Watergate, the American public has become much more desensitized to scandal, so that whenever a political scandal takes place nowadays, very few people are surprised or outraged.