Final+Questions+--+GOVT+2301+Online+Class



Below you will see a small number of questions designed to determine whether you can apply some of the material we covered this semester to ongoing events. You will be required to review news sources to come up with adequate answers. I expect at least 100 words for a satisfactory – meaning a “C” level – grade. Additional work and insight earns you a higher grade. Less work earns a lesser grade.

//Email these to me by Midnight December 10th//

1. Being a mixed government with separated powers, the U.S. and Texas Governments have democratic, oligarchic and autocratic components. Describe recent activities which illustrate each of these types of governance. With this in mind, how democratic in fact is American government?

2. As you hopefully recall, the Declaration of Independence contains the following text: “//they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” ////Based on what you have read about the current debate about health care, can access to affordable health care be considered to be “among” these unalienable rights? Yes or no? Explain your answer.

3. The U.S. Constitution strikes a balance between national and state powers, but this balance is often affected by ongoing events and policy proposals. What major events over the past semester have tested the constitutionally established relationship between the national and state governments? Does the Constitution help resolve these issues?

4. In November, voters in Texas approved a series of amendments to the Texas Constitution. What exactly was added and how will it modify the activities of the state government?

5. Federalist #10, among other things, details how the American governing system ensures that fits of passion are kept at a local or state level. Review recent news events and find examples of these fits of passion and how the constitutional did, or did not, contain them.

6. Federalist #51, as you know, discusses the checks and balances. The ambitions of people in each of the governing institutions are the principle means of keeping the others in check. What examples of these checks have we seen in recent months?

7. I want you to apply what you learned about civil liberties to current events. Review recent news stories and actions of the local, state, and national governments and call attention to those that may raise civil liberties issues.

8. Every two years, the United States holds elections. So does Texas. Local elections occur in odd number years – as you know if you followed the elections this past November. In a democracy, elections can be considered to be mechanisms by which the public can adjust the direction the ship of state is headed. Often, elected officials anticipate the attitudes of the electorate and adjust their actions in order to not be defeated in that election. With that in mind, review recent news events and determine how Congress and/or the Texas Legislature is likely to be impacted by the elections of 2010.

9. If you recall, I stressed the idea that political parties are coalitions of groups that tend to identify with one of the major parties rather than the other. The party with the larger coalition wins elections. The job of the Republican Party, nationally at least, is to enlarge its coalition. The job of the Democratic Party is to retain the coalition that allowed it to win in 2008. Describe briefly how each is attempting to do this. Leaving your personal feelings aside, which is best poised to take advantage of the current political, economic and social environment and gain legislative seats next year?

10. Apply question #7 to civil rights. I want you to apply what you learned about civil rights to current events. Review recent news stories and actions of the local, state, and national governments and call attention to those that may raise civil rights issues. //