2 essays in american politics

PLSI  200:  American  Politics   Prof.  Jason  A.  McDaniel  

MID-­‐TERM  EXAMINATION  

Your  exam  consists  of  writing  two  separate  essays:  one  from  Part  I,  and  the  other  based  on  Part  II.     ∑ Due:  Monday,  October  13  at  10:10am.     ∑ Submit  hardcopy  in  class  and  upload  file  to  turnitin.com  via  ilLearn.   ∑ Please  use  an  11  or  12-­‐point  font  and  double-­‐spaced  type.     ∑ Please  write  your  name,  and  the  name  of  your  TA  on  your  exam.    

Part  I  Choose  one  (1)  of  the  following  four  (4)  questions.  (40  points  –  suggested  length:  about  2-­‐3  pages)  

1. There  were  many  disputes  between  various  factions  at  the  Constitutional  Convention.  Write  an   essay  in  which  you  discuss  the  different  factions  represented  at  the  Constitutional  Convention,  and   explain  how  the  differences  between  them  shaped  the  Constitution.  In  your  opinion,  what  does  this   say  about  the  relationship  between  political  conflict  and  compromise?  

2. What  are  public  goods,  and  why  is  it  often  difficult  to  organize  collective  action  to  achieve  them?   What  does  the  relationship  between  collective  action  problems  and  public  goods  imply  about  the   role  of  government?      

3. In  what  ways  does  the  American  federal  system  differ  from  unitary  systems  of  government?  How   has  the  balance  of  power  between  state  and  federal  governments  evolved  over  time?  What  are  the   advantages  and  disadvantages  of  states  having  a  strong  role  in  the  American  political  system?    

4. In  Federalist  Paper  No.  10,  Madison  discusses  the  problems  associated  with  factions  for  democratic   governance.  According  to  Madison,  what  are  factions,  and  what  are  some  of  the  problems   associated  with  them?  How  are  Madison’s  ideas  about  factions  reflected  in  the  institutions  and   processes  of  American  democracy?  

Part  II.  (60  points  –  suggested  length:  about  3-­‐5  pages)  

What  does  the  struggle  to  achieve  Civil  Rights  say  about  the  quality  of  democracy  in  America?  From  the   perspective  of  each  of  the  competing  images  of  American  democracy  in  practice  (elite  theory,  pluralist,   and  hyperpluralist),  analyze  the  politics  and  policy  of  the  Civil  Rights  Movement.  

In  your  essay,  be  sure  to  …  

a) Discuss  how  the  progress  of  the  Civil  Rights  Movement  was  affected  by  the  Madisonian  institutions   of  American  democracy;  

b) Discuss  and  Analyze  the  events  of  the  Civil  Rights  Movement  from  the  perspective  of  each  of  the   three  competing  images  of  American  democracy  in  practice  (elite  theory,  pluralist,  and  hyper-­‐ pluralist).    

c) Based  on  your  analysis  of  the  three  competing  perspectives,  which  do  you  think  most  accurately   explains  American  politics  and  democracy?  

Essay-­‐writing  tips:   ∑ Create  a  detailed  outline  of  your  essay  before  writing,  including  thesis  arguments  for  the  entire  

essay  and  each  section.     ∑ Be  sure  that  your  essays  contain  a  clear  introduction  and  conclusion.     Review  your  essay  before  submitting  it:     ∑ Do  you  make  clearly  stated  thesis  arguments?  Do  you  fully  define  &  explain  the  major  concepts  in  

the  essay?    Does  your  writing  clearly  communicate  your  intended  points?