Political Science 21A: Question Set #1.
Collective Action, the American Constitution, Federalism, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.
Please respond to two of the following three short response questions posted below. The questions are broken into sections, and you should respond to each section in your response. That means you should be sure to answer each part of a question (A, B, C, D) clearly.
Your answers should be short, focused, and complete, ranging from three to six paragraphs (usually a paragraph per 1-2 sections). Please make sure to answer each specific part of every question. Only the first two responses you enter will be graded (there is no benefit to answering all 3 questions).
Successful answers will reflect your own thinking and understanding of the material. These answers will provide details and context that support your arguments and explain your position to the readers. You may also want to provide real world examples taken from the readings, lectures, group discussions, or your own independent thinking.
For example, in your response to the questions on federalism you may wish to identify and discuss historical examples of conflict or cooperation between the national and state governments as well as draw from contemporary issues in federalism that are happening today (even after the textbook was written). These illustrations can be from the course materials or your own ideas. Providing this context and being able to apply the material to YOUR OWN understanding of politics really shows us that you have mastered the material. It is essential that you show your own voice, thinking and opinion when asked for. You cannot receive full points by simply restating material from the textbook and lectures.
Each answer will be worth 50 points, for 100 points total. The Question Set is due on Canvas at 11:59 pm on Monday, August 19th PDT. You should plan on uploading your response as a docx file or PDF to this Question Set #1 assignment tab. We will be using Turnitin for the assignment submission. Remember, each question is broken up into parts. Please be sure to address every part of the question!
Below are the questions. You can number these in your response, and break the question about by section (A, B, C, D). You are welcome to paste in the question before you answer if it helps you, although this is not necessary as long as we are clear on which question you are answering.
1. A) Why did the Articles of Confederation fail to produce a stable government for the new United States of America? B) How did the failures of the Articles of Confederation influence the design of the Constitution of the United States of America? C) How did the need to forge a compromise between large states and small states influence the design of the Constitution? D) How (if at all) has this compromise shaped the way the United States government functions today? E) Based on this analysis, how (if at all) would you reform the Constitution today?
2. A) What are some benefits of having a federal system? B) What are some drawbacks? In addition to the logical arguments, provide an example of federalism being beneficial, and an example of it being problematic. C) Drawing on these arguments, do you think a stronger national government would be better or worse? (Be clear about what you mean by “better” or “worse” and why). Feel free to use examples from current American politics to highlight your argument. D) What reforms (if any) would you recommend to further expand or constrain federal power? Why?
3) A) What were the goals of Jim Crow laws? Provide specific examples of these laws and their effects. B) How Jim Crow laws remedied in the 1960s, and what are the Constitutional justifications for these remedies? (Make sure and note the difference between de facto and de jure segregation in considering the effectiveness of these remedies.) C) In recent years, many states have introduced legislation making it harder for many Americans to vote, and making it more easier for state governments to draw legislative districts that make it easier for one political party to capture control of a state government over another. Should we be concerned about a return of Jim Crow voting restrictions? Why or why not? D) Should the federal government again take a more active role in regulating state elections? Why or why not?