American Government Political Science Essay Questions-
1) The Electoral College has been criticized over the years as undemocratic; however, is this proclamation entirely fair? Please discuss the particulars of the Electoral College: what was it intended to be, what has it become? Furthermore, you must examine the nature of the "wave of democratization" and how that is related to the change in the Electoral College. What has become of the original equation for responsible governance? As always, please cite appropriate information from the class to bolster your essay.
2) Congress never gets anything done! Americans do not think highly of Congress and in large part blame this institution for the lack of progress within our country. Please discuss the difficult and convoluted process of passing legislation. Please offer a comprehensive discussion of how legislation can "die" at different points in the system. A discussion of the filibuster must be included in this essay. Yes, passing legislation is difficult, but could this be a good thing? Moreover, what (if any) reforms would you propose to Congress?
3) Over the course of American history, the power and influence of the American presidency has matured, at times contracted, and at other times expanded exponentially. As we have identified in class, specific events, certain presidents, and various court rulings have contributed to this evolution. Please explain in detail this expansion; what did the Framers draft compared to what the reality is today? Furthermore, presidents have employed three major perspectives for wielding executive power: what are they and explain them in detail? Explain the importance of communication in relation to the office of the presidency. Lastly, why do I assert that the presidency could be seen as the "most dangerous branch" of government?
4) The Supreme Court is unlike any other court in the United States. Please discuss the evolution of the Supreme Court. Moreover, address the nomination and confirmation process. How has this political process changed the Supreme Court: has the democratization surrounding the Supreme Court changed it for the better? Lastly, and maybe most importantly, there are multiple intellectual perspectives of constitutional interpretation: what are they and which one do you find most intellectually sound? Make sure to breakdown each perspective in detail.
5) The rights and liberties we as Americans enjoy have not always remained the same; in reality, the freedoms and protections that we enjoy have grown and contracted over time. How has the Bill of Rights changed over time? Please discuss the nature of this constant change by paying close attention to the evolution of both the 1st and 4thAmendments. What is meant by the term selective incorporation? Furthermore, please discuss any contentions that have been expressed concerning the evolution of the Bill of Rights. Please offer your perspective during this thorough examination of the history of civil rights and civil liberties.