1. We have discussed the idea of states being “laboratories of democracy” – places where government can try innovative solutions to policy problems that may become models for other states to follow. Please discuss this idea in some detail. Do you agree or disagree with it? Give a number of specific examples from your reading to support your position.
2. How important are the “politics” of a state in determining the policy position its government will support? Define “politics” broadly to also include socioeconomic factors in a given state. Use a wide variety of examples from your reading to support your opinion.
3. Describe the importance of intergovernmental relations (IGR) to states as they develop and implement policies. Discuss these relationships completely (state-federal, state-state, state-local) and provide specific examples of how IGR actually works in reality.
4. Discuss the significance of political participation in the states. Include the following in your answer: political parties, direct democracy, interest groups, lobbying, public opinion. Provide specific examples to support your opinion about how influential, or not, they are relative to each other.