Richard Nixon's Administration and the Term Paper

His actions were atypical because he actually committed these crimes to the highest extent, going so far as to avoid accountability even when presented with evidence that indeed, he was heavily linked to Watergate break-in. However, his behavior towards his political rivals and towards politics, in general, was typical in the sense that he became paranoid and insecure, and his commitment of these crimes reflected his need to verify whether he still wields power and influence over his political allies and the citizenry. Thus, he felt the need to "spy" against his rivals and abuse his power by avoiding accountability and doing his responsibility to pay his taxes. He became consumed by the power and influence embedded in his position as President that he forgot the extent of his accountability to the people -- that these privileges of power and influence are duly given by the people, and not his to be abused and take advantage of.

This analysis of Nixon's character illustrates one hand of his eventual development as a 'crook politician.' At the back of the Watergate scandal and Nixon's commitment of high crimes, the Vietnam War loomed as a great pressure that tested Nixon's ability to govern his country in the area of international political affairs. His role was most crucial because the U.S. was the primary instigator of the Cold War, which the Vietnam was part of. The need to implement the most effective policy to prevent the Vietnam War from escalating was further intensified by the growing clamor to withdraw military troops.The strong opposition of the civil society, as well as the Congress and Senate, against the participation of the country to the war acted as a pressure that tested Nixon's ability to decide on the course of action that the country would take -- ultimately, to take the exit from the Cold War it had mitigated early on.

Nixon was in effect reaping the fruits of the previous administrations' actions and policies on the Cold War. Faced with the challenge of withdrawing from the Vietnam War without compromising America's stand on the Cold War, Nixon only worsened the war as he gradually withdrew strong American participation in the war, but maintained its presence in South Vietnam. Adding this international affair to the personal 'temptations' that he faced as U.S. President, Nixon's downfall was that his responsibilities and attitude towards his position did not complement effectively, and his yearning for more power proved to be greater than his need to serve his country, defeating his belief that his policies were sincerely and honestly committed for the welfare of the country and the citizenry......