Abstract:
The thesis delves into the Watergate scandal, a turning point in the American history, and its perennial reverberations that drastically altered the U.S. political framework. The study examines the significance of the scandal along with its profound impacts on politics. The origins, expansion and repercussion of the scandal are essential aspects to determine the means through which a crisis
sparked into a prominent transition of political institutions, public engagement and perceptions and resulted in the infamous resignation of President Richard Nixon. The comprehensive archival research, qualitative and quantitative analyses ofdata endorsed this thesis to expose the significance of the Watergate that prolongs beyond theimminent failure of President Richard Nixon. It contends that the scandal brought about a substantial number of institutional amendments targeting campaign finance law, ethical rules and the dynamics of legislative-executive powers. Moreover, it digs into the transformation ofAmerican political culture with the deterioration of public trust in their government through simultaneous invigoration of civic engagement and investigative journalism. The scandal’s long-lasting legacy is unquestionably integrated in the shifts it created in presidents’ liability, congressional observation procedures and media’s involvement in politics. The thesis is also an examination of how the scandal altered political behavior especially in the voting process and public figures’ conduct. The current study broadens our understanding of the influence of a political scandal in converting political systems through locating the Watergate within the broader framework of American political development. It provides genuine insights into the lasting consequences of political scandals and intricate interactions of institutional structures and political culture that forge democratic governance.
