PLSI 200: American Politics Midterm Examination ✓ Solved

PLSI 200: American Politics Mid-Term Examination

Your exam consists of writing two separate essays: one from Part I, and the other based on Part II.

Part I

Choose one (1) of the following four (4) questions:

1. There were many disputes between various factions at the Constitutional Convention. Write an essay in which you discuss the different factions represented at the Constitutional Convention, and explain how the differences between them shaped the Constitution. In your opinion, what does this say about the relationship between political conflict and compromise?
2. What are public goods, and why is it often difficult to organize collective action to achieve them? What does the relationship between collective action problems and public goods imply about the role of government?
3. In what ways does the American federal system differ from unitary systems of government? How has the balance of power between state and federal governments evolved over time? What are the advantages and disadvantages of states having a strong role in the American political system?
4. In Federalist Paper No. 10, Madison discusses the problems associated with factions for democratic governance. According to Madison, what are factions, and what are some of the problems associated with them? How are Madison’s ideas about factions reflected in the institutions and processes of American democracy?

Part II

What does the struggle to achieve Civil Rights say about the quality of democracy in America? From the perspective of each of the competing images of American democracy in practice (elite theory, pluralist, and hyperpluralist), analyze the politics and policy of the Civil Rights Movement.

Be sure to:

• Discuss how the progress of the Civil Rights Movement was affected by the Madisonian institutions of American democracy;
• Discuss and analyze the events of the Civil Rights Movement from the perspective of each of the three competing images of American democracy in practice (elite theory, pluralist, and hyper-pluralist);
• Based on your analysis of the three competing perspectives, which do you think most accurately explains American politics and democracy?

Essay-Writing Tips

Create a detailed outline of your essay before writing, including thesis arguments for the entire essay and each section.

Be sure that your essays contain a clear introduction and conclusion. Review your essay before submitting it:

• Do you make clearly stated thesis arguments?
• Do you fully define & explain the major concepts in the essay?
• Does your writing clearly communicate your intended points?

Paper For Above Instructions

The examination consists of two comprehensive essays that will engage critical themes in American governance and civil rights. In Part I, I will discuss the factions present at the Constitutional Convention, while in Part II, I will analyze the Civil Rights Movement through various theoretical frameworks.

Part I: Factions at the Constitutional Convention

During the Constitutional Convention of 1787, divergent factions emerged, primarily the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists, alongside various smaller groups representing differing interests. The Federalists, such as Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, advocated for a strong central government to ensure order and stability. In contrast, the Anti-Federalists argued for states' rights and feared the concentration of power in a national authority (Madison, 1788).

The debates among these factions were crucial in shaping the Constitution, as the necessity for compromise became evident. For instance, issues such as representation (the Great Compromise) and the balance of power led to the establishment of a bicameral legislature (Lutz, 1994). The resulting document reflects the delicate balance between the need for a unified nation and the desire to safeguard individual liberties and state sovereignty.

The political conflict observed during the Constitutional Convention epitomizes the nature of governance wherein competing interests must negotiate to reach a workable solution. This scenario exposes the essence of political conflict, suggesting that compromise is often vital for stability and progress in a democracy (Elkin & Soltan, 1999). Consequently, the relationship between political conflict and compromise remains a fundamental characteristic of American democracy.

Part II: The Civil Rights Movement and American Democracy

The Civil Rights Movement serves as a poignant chapter in the narrative of American democracy, illustrating its complexities and contradictions. The struggle for civil rights underscores the ongoing tension between the ideals of liberty and the reality of systemic oppression. These dynamics can be analyzed through three theoretical lenses: elite theory, pluralist theory, and hyperpluralist theory.

Under elite theory, power is concentrated among a small group of elites who wield significant influence over political outcomes. In the context of the Civil Rights Movement, this is exemplified by the resistance faced from established political and economic elites who were largely indifferent or hostile to civil rights initiatives (Dahl, 1957). The institutional frameworks created by the founding fathers often served to entrench these elites' power, making it difficult for marginalized groups to achieve meaningful change.

Contrastingly, pluralist theory posits that multiple competing interests can coexist and influence governance. The Civil Rights Movement illustrates this as various organizations, such as the NAACP, SNCC, and SCLC, mobilized grassroots support and lobbied for civil rights legislation (McAdam, 1982). The differing responses among these entities emphasized the capacity for collective action within American democracy, culminating in landmark achievements like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Finally, hyperpluralist theory suggests that extreme pluralism can lead to political gridlock, where the multitude of competing interests and viewpoints makes consensus increasingly elusive. The Civil Rights Movement did not merely highlight the success of organized advocacy; it exposed how fragmented interests could slow progress, as illustrated by the backlash against civil rights legislation in subsequent decades (Sinha, 2016).

Upon evaluating these theories, pluralism provides the most comprehensive lens through which to understand American politics and democracy. While elite theory rightly captures the significant challenges posed by entrenched interests, pluralism acknowledges the power of collective action and the importance of civic engagement in promoting change. As evidenced by the Civil Rights Movement's successes and setbacks, democracy thrives when diverse voices engage actively in the policy process.

Conclusion

The Constitutional Convention's factional dynamics established critical precedents for American political processes. Meanwhile, the Civil Rights Movement, viewed through theoretical lenses, exemplifies the complex interplay of power, advocacy, and governance in American democracy. Together, these elements underscore the importance of compromise, collective action, and continued vigilance in the pursuit of justice and equality.

References

• Dahl, R. A. (1957). Decision-Making in a Democracy: The Supreme Court as a National Policy-Maker. Journal of Public Law.
• Elkin, S. L., & Soltan, K. E. (1999). Citizen Competence and Democratic Institutions. Pennsylvania State University Press.
• Madison, J. (1788). The Federalist Papers.
• McAdam, D. (1982). Political Process and the Development of Black Insurgency, 1930-1970. University of Chicago Press.
• Lutz, D. S. (1994). Popular Consent and Popular Control During the American Founding: The Role of the Republican Tradition. University of Kansas Press.
• Sinha, S. (2016). Out of the Shadows: The Re-Emergence of the Civil Rights Movement in the Age of Obama. University of Massachusetts Press.
• Williams, M. (2010). Rethinking the Civil Rights Movement: A Reassessment of the Struggle for Equality. Berkeley: University of California Press.
• McGuire, R. A. (2008). Factions, Freedom, and the American Founding. Journal of Political Science.
• Fraser, N. (1990). Rethinking the Public Sphere: A Contribution to the Critique of Actually Existing Democracy. Social Text.
• Skocpol, T. (2003). Diminished Democracy: From Membership to Management in American Civic Life. University of Oklahoma Press.