Reference no: EM132405242

Details

This short answer assignment will serve to replace eitherone missing or unsatisfactory exam grade or one missing participation grade. Please note, this assignment will not be scored as a completion grade. Instead, you will be scored (and receive a corresponding grade) based on how well you are able to fully answer the question and logically support your answer using information from class and the textbook.

This makeup is due December 1 by 11:30pm (no exceptions and no late work accepted).

Instructions 

Please select one (1) of the following questions to answer in a well-written and logically supported short-answer response. Your response should be 500-1,000 words in length and fully address each part of the question. Your responses should be submitted as an attached Word document or PDF and should follow normal formatting conventions (i.e. 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font, double-spaced, etc.) You must cite any and all reference material used to answer the question (see the citation help link on Blackboard for reference).

1. Outline the major principles inherent in democracy, including protection of individual rights, equal protection before the law, opportunities for political participation, and majority rule based on the principle of one person, one vote. Consider the reasons why the Framers considered and rejected Athenian notions of direct democracy, based precisely on their concern over "mob rule."

2. Identify the key functions of government. Then identify ways in which government fails to live up to the expectations of some citizens in those areas. What are appropriate actions for citizens to take when they feel as though government is not providing essential services for its citizens?

3. Compare and contrast the delegate model and the trustee model of representation. Explain the ways in which Congress does and does not represent the nation's citizens.

4. Write a letter to your congressional representative about an issue you feel strongly about (whether you choose to actually send it is your prerogative). Be sure to support your argument.

5. Describe the factors that impact the outcomes of cases: the judicial philosophy and ideology of individual judges and the resources and strategies available to litigants and lawyers. How does judicial decision-making affect public policy? What impact does that process have on American democracy? What evidence can you point to or provide?

6. In class, we discussed the foundations of judicial review, or the ability of the courts to decide which laws are constitutional or not. Is judicial review undemocratic? Why or why not?

7. Describe the ways that the Trump presidency has followed precedent and ways that it has deviated from precedent. How (or will) the Trump administration impact the office of president and/or American democracy in years to come?

8. Change my view: We should not care about voter turnout. If voting is a right and a political statement, not voting should also be a right (and should also be seen as a political statement).Levels of participation are not important, as long as some people turn out to vote.

9. This recent election cycle saw multiple states imposing new and stricter ID requirements, which many opponents called voter suppression efforts. What does this mean? Is this a serious accusation?

10. In class, we discussed the historic and constitutional origins of the Electoral College and the Framers' motivation for creating this uniquely American institution. How useful is the Electoral College today? What are the merits or strengths of the College? Weaknesses? What reforms have been proposed? What kind of system would you advocate for?