FEDERALISM, STATES RIGHTS AND THE PARTY SYSTEM (updated template)

Overview

This assignment will help you gain a better understanding of how states’ rights and the different political parties interact in the current American political climate. In this assignment you will look at the following:

• What are states rights? How does Federalism relate to states rights??
• How would a Democrat view states’ rights?
• How would a Republican view states’ rights?
• How do they differ?

Directions:

Step 1

1. Review our textbook's definitions on the national centered and states’ centered FEDERALISM.
2. Definite STATES RIGHTS in your own words based upon the textbook.

Step 2

• Check out the platform, issues or about the party sections of the following political party websites...
  1. Democrat Links to an external site.
  2. RepublicanLinks to an external site.
• Choose 3 of the same topics to analyze across BOTH party platforms (for example: Health Care, the Economy, the Environment, etc…).
• Compare and contrast the view of each party for each issue. You can use/download this Compare & Contrast Template.docx to help you organize your thoughts (although you are welcome/encouraged to find your own way to organize your information!) Please write in complete sentences.
• After completing your Compare/Contrast chart, write a 200- 250 word summary of how the MAIN political parties view FEDERALISM AND states’ rights.

Your assignment submission (which can be in one document) should include the following:

1. A clear definition of Federalism and states’ rights based upon our text and your own understanding.
2. A chart summarizing the information from your research on Federalism and states rights.
3. Your summary of each party’s views onFederalism and  states’ rights and how they are different or similar.

How to Complete Your Assignment

Submit your work here in the CANVAS system as a Word 97-2003, .docx or other word processing file (Google Docs (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., Open Office (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. are also acceptable).

Directions to Submit

1. On the right hand Menu, you will see a SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT button with a white plus sign.
2. Click on the SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT button. Then click BROWSE to look for your file on your computer.
3. When done, click the SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT button.