Identifications: In complete sentences, identify and explain the political significance for the following terms, events or individuals.
Marbury v. Madison Brown v. Board of Ed. of Topeka Miranda v Arizona
Judicial Review The Great Compromise Extended Republic
Authority Domain of Power Range of Power
Bicameralism Separation of Powers Bill of Rights
Elitists Mobilization of Bias Pluralists
Median Voter Model House Revolt of 1910 ICC
Categorical Grants Revenue Sharing McCulloch v. MD
Realigning Election Primary Election William J. Bryan
Electoral College Bull Moose Party George Wallace
White House Office OMB Pocket Veto
Max Weber Legislative Veto Civil Service
Issue Network Muckraker VNS
CAB Louis Brownlow Frederick Douglass
Alexis de Tocqueville "Talented Tenth" Public Interest Group
Seneca Falls Convention Sojourner Truth Roe v Wade
Commonwealth Club Address Majoritarian Politics Special Interest Politics
John Maynard Keynes Milton Friedman Federal Reserve Board
Social Movement PAC Establishment Clause
Elastic Clause 14th Amendment Agenda Setting
Essay Questions: Answer the following in a
well-organized essay, being sure to address all elements of the question
and to support your arguments with specific facts or illustrations.
1. Tocqueville asserted that "in times of democracy" men have "a very high opinion of the prerogatives of society and a very humble opinion of the rights of individuals." Why did he believe this was so ? How does his view on the concentration of political power support Barry Karl's view of our Uneasy State?
2. Which type of politics (majoritarian, entrpreneurial, special interest, or interest group) does Malcolm X's speech, The Ballot or the Bullet reflect? Explain your choice(s).
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the electoral college? What is your view of this institution?
4. According to FDR in 1932 America's great task had shifted to "the less dramatic business of adminstering resources and plant already in hand, of seeking to reestablish foreign markets for our surplus production, of meeting the problem of underconsumption, of adjusting production to consumption, of distributing wealth and products more equitably, of adapting existing economic organizations to the service of the people. The day of enlightened adminstration has come." What did FDR mean by this argument? Was he successful in establishing a regime of enlightened administration? What are the benefits and costs of such a regime?
5. Using the equation, GNP = C + I + G, explain how Keynsian economic policy is supposed manage inflation and recession. Why has it been difficult for poltical leaders to apply this model effectively?
6. What is meant by the concept of judicial realism? Pick a landmark Supreme Court case (eg, Roe v. Wade, Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka) to illustrate your argument? Does this seem like a good approach for the courts to rely upon, or should they stick to a strict application of statutes and the Constitution?
7. Why has the modern presidency become more important than the founders envisioned? Be sure to refer to specific events or trends in American politics.
8. What is the difference between classical liberalism and modern liberalism? What, in your view are the advantages and disadvantages of a modern liberal philosophy?
9. What is Barry Karl's thesis in The Uneasy State? Did you find his argument persuasive? Using specific examples to illustrate your views, explain why you think it is (un)persuasive.
10. Using the median voter model, assess the outcome (to date) of the 2000 presidential election. Is the theory confirmed or disconfirmed? Be sure to refer to specific issues and policy positions of the candidates to make your case one way or the other.
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