American Government

Day One August 1999

Part 1--Required
"Here the people rule." American Government is founded on the principle of popular sovereignty. Clearly, however, some people have a larger part in ruling than others. Why is this distribution of political influence uneven in American democracy, in which, theoretically, all citizens are equal ? Your answer should be grounded in an understanding of both political institutions and political behavior.

Part II- Answer two
1. Current doctrine maintains that the Supreme Court should be the final and definitive interpreter of the Constitution. Has this doctrine always been at the forefront? What other doctrines have been asserted? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the current doctrine? What role do you see for other branches of the government in asserting and maintaining independent interpretations of the Constitution?

2. At least three major views have been advanced about the "development" of the character and power of the presidency. One claims that the office now is essentially the same as it was at the time of the Founding and that the whole idea of the "modern presidency" is a myth. Another sees a development of the office, e.g., from nineteenth century to "modem." A third sees a continual cyclical pattern based on shifting demands on the office for the creation and maintenance of different policy `regimes." Evaluate these three models or approaches to the presidency. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each? Which one or combination of the three would you recommend, or is there another account that you find more satisfactory?

3. Students of the governmental process often speak of the three "i's"--interests, ideas, and institutions. Choose (I) an era in American political experience, or (2) a critical political event, or (3) a major policy arena, and analyze the interaction among and relative importance of the three i's.

4. Publius makes a strong argument in The Federalist that there is no danger of consolidation because the states have the advantage over the federal government. What was Publius's argument? Has it turned out to be correct? What has changed?

5. Following the 1994 congressional elections, an extraordinary effort was undertaken to make the Congress--in particular the House under the Speaker--the source for policy initiative and agenda setting. What factors accounted for this attempt? Did it succeed, and can it serve as a viable model of political leadership in the United States in the future? Was a similar model tried earlier in American history, and with what success'? Are there any reasons why the relative prospects of success for this model might be different today than they were in the past?

6. What are the basic causes of voter alignment? Illustrate the operation of these causes by discussing any election or set of elections of your choice.