Essay: On the exam you will be given two of the questions to below, you will select one to answer. This section of the exam is worth 20pts. Make sure to answer your question in essay form complete with introduction and conclusion, also make sure to complete each part of the question, as each section is worth a particular amount of points. You may bring a 5x7 piece of paper with prepared outlines to the test.
1. What are the two main political parties in the United States? What do these two parties stand for (their ideology-see the chart)? Your would desperately like to see a 3rd party participate in elections in the US-explain to them why this is unlikely given our current electoral system (Duverger's Law) and other difficulties third parties face.
2. Explain the process by which legislation is drafted and put into effect-draw the path of a bill all the way from its initial introduction to the president's desk and the president's options for the bill. Why is the procedure so complicated? What are the drawbacks and advantages of this procedure? Should the legislative process be reformed to make it easier to pass legislation?
3. Explain the process by which the American people select their presidents-Primary through General Election. What are the strengths and flaws of this process? Is the process appropriately democratic? Does it adequately ensure that the will of the American people will dominate? What changes might be adapted to improve the presidential electoral process?