NOTE:  These questions have been revised and are now LOCKED IN for the final exam on Thursday, May 8.

You will be asked to write answers to three of the following questions, selected by random draw on the day of the final exam.

Short Answers (30%)

1. The policy-making process has been likened to a legislative obstacle course. With that metaphor in mind, discuss the multistage process through which a bill becomes a law.

2. Define the meaning of the term "judicial review" and discuss the constitutional and/or legal origins of this power.

3. The federal government’s official estimate of "poverty" is an important social indicator that affects not only public perceptions of well-being in America, but also of government policies and programs. Some experts, however, say the way the government currently measures poverty is deeply flawed. Why? Be specific.

4. Discuss three different reasons why health care costs have skyrocketed in the United States over the past few decades.

5. In his January 1999 State of the Union address, President Clinton argued that we should "save Social Security first." Explain why the long-term financial solvency of the program is in question.

6. Within the context of U.S. economic policy, compare and contrast the terms "deficit" and "debt."

7. According to Paul Starr, what happened to President Clinton's health care reform proposal?  Why did it fail?

8. Identify the three major goals of comprehensive health care reform (as identified in class lectures) and explain why effective reform is so difficult to achieve.

9. Why, according to some scholars, do Americans overestimate the proportion of the poor who are black?

10. The overwhelming majority of incumbents who decide to run for reelection to Congress are successful. What are the most important factors that contribute to "incumbency advantage?"

11. Describe the major components of the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (e.g., welfare reform). Has it been successful?  Why or why not?

12. While justices to the U.S. Supreme Court are not elected to service and while they remain in office for life "under good behavior," the court is not immune to public opinion or criticism from the other branches of government. Discuss three important and specific limitations (e.g., checks and balances) on the court’s power

13. Compare and contrast the "trustee" form of representation with the "delegate" form of representation.

14. When writing about the U.S. Congress, why do John R. Hibbing and Elizabeth Theiss-Morse argue that "more representative is not necessarily better?"

15. What, according to Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins, is the "case against the electoral college"?  In other words, on what grounds does she criticize it as a method of presidential selection?

16. In an episode of the NPR radio program This American Life called "The Audacity of Government," host Ira Glass provides several examples of what he calls the Bush Admistration's "lawyering, unrelenting style."  Identify and briefly discuss two of the cases presented in the show.

17. Some argue that the Social Security system is in financial crisis. Identify and discuss three different reform proposals that might the fix the problem. 

18. In using the Schlesinger poll as a guide, which presidents are considered "great" by historians?  What do our "great" presidents have in common?  Why is that pattern significant?

Essay Questions (70%)

You will be asked to answer one of the following questions, selected by random draw on the day of the final exam. Whenever possible, be sure to support your answer with evidence drawn from class lectures, discussions and reading assignments.

1. The role of public opinion is ambiguous in American politics. Responsiveness to the public will is a central feature of our government, and yet ordinary citizens often seem too ill-informed to play a decisive role in policy-making. Using two different areas of public policy as a guide in focusing your answer (e.g., welfare reform, Social Security, health care, the federal budget), write an essay that considers the role that public opinion plays in influencing policy. Ultimately, is its impact good or bad?

2. Identifying the problems of modern government is a relatively simple task, but fixing them is hard. We have considered a variety of reforms throughout the semester, including

• Programs like Motor-Voter that are designed to increase voter turnout;
• Term limits that force rotation in office for members of Congress;
• Racial gerrymandering to increase the representation of minorities in Congress;
• Plans to replace the electoral college with a direct popular vote;
• Reinventing government to loosen the “red tape” that slows bureaucracy;
• Welfare reform intended to bolster public support for anti-poverty programs;
• Health care reform designed to ensure access, preserve quality, and control costs;
• Reform to the Social Security system to insure its long-term solvency;

Using three of these proposals as a guide, craft an essay that considers both the need for fundamental change in government, and the difficulties of achieving it.

Midterm Exam

You will be asked to write answers to three of the following questions, selected by random draw on the day of the midterm exam.

Short Answers (30%)

1. Explain why the Articles of Confederation failed as a governing document.

2. Discuss at least three important functions performed by political parties.

3. Explain why a two-party system dominates U.S. politics.

4. In what way(s) did the poll on Texas Attorney General Dan Morales and the tobacco lawsuit manipulate public opinion? 

5. Recent controversy over nominations to the U.S. Supreme Court has demonstrated the importance of a “right to privacy.” Explain the significance of “privacy” in the context of civil liberties law and identify the constitutional grounds on which it is based.

6. Despite the obstacles typically faced by third party candidates, why does Lizza (2006) believe that a third party might finally emerge? 

7. According to Magleby, et al. in Government by the People, “[t]wo important influences of print and broadcast media on public opinion are agenda setting and issue framing.” Fully define both terms.

8. Identify and discuss three different strategies interest groups use to achieve their political goals.

9. In Cohen's (2007) piece, what does it mean to counsel Democrats to "go for the gut"?

10. Briefly outline the court’s decision on school prayer in Engel v. Vitale (1962) and explain its significance.

11. Why does Mangu-Ward (2007) believe that privacy is, at times, "overrated"?

12. As defined by the U.S. Constitution, discuss the three most important ways in which the legislative branch of government checks executive power.

13. Why does Jeff Jacoby believe that the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) has made it “too easy to vote”?

14. Discuss the most important factors that an informed citizen should use in judging the quality of a public opinion poll.

15. In their quest for active membership, how do interest groups overcome the central problem of collective action (e.g., the “free rider” problem)?

16. According to Chris Suellentrop, why are online polls “bunk”?

17. Within the context of American politics, define the terms “liberal” and “conservative.”

18. Under a system of federalism, power is divided between national, state, and local governments. What are the benefits of this complicated division of authority?

Essay Questions (70%)

You will be asked to answer one of the following questions, selected by random draw on the day of the midterm exam. Whenever possible, be sure to support your answer with evidence drawn from class lectures, discussions and reading assignments.

1. In Federalist nos. 10 and 51, James Madison proposes a "republican remedy" to the dangers of faction inherent in representative government. Write an essay that: a) Describes the solutions Madison had in mind; and b) Evaluates their success today in controlling the undue influence of faction. (HINT: In formulating your answer be sure to consider the role that political parties and/or interest groups play in American politics today.)

2. Linkage institutions—including public opinion, elections, political parties, interest groups and the news media—serve an important purpose within the American political system by connecting citizens to their government. Using at least two of the above as a guide, craft an essay that evaluates how well the interests of the American people are communicated to government. Be specific.