Question 1. (40 points ) Ideology and Debt
The United States has accumulated over $28 trillion dollars worth of debt. Deciding how to address that debt will be a difficult task and the subject of much disagreement. How does ideology factor in?
Be sure to link the beliefs of the ideology to beliefs about the role of government. Then present the kinds of strategies each ideology might favor. Be sure to address both overall strategies and some of the specific policy proposals. Which ideas, in your opinion, hold the most promise for cutting the debt and why? Will this ideology be both good for the debt and good for society? Or good for the debt but bad for society? Please explain your answer.
Question 2: (40 Points) Political Institutions
How do US electoral institutions (voter registration, single member plurality systems, the electoral college ) AND party systems impact American democracy? What kinds of outcomes may they lead to for voters? For parties? For the country as a whole? What reforms, if any, should be implemented?
Be sure to give a detailed explanation about how these institutions and systems work. Then explain how they impact democracy and American politics. Be sure to back up your claims with evidence.
Question 3: (20 points). Reforming the US
Over the semester we have examined various aspects of the US political system. These discussions have included our constitution, federalism, civil rights and liberties, the three branches of government, ideology and parties, elections, and some public policy. In thinking about these various aspects of US democracy, which two aspects stand out to you as systems in the greatest need of reform and why? What kinds of reforms do you think should be implemented?
In your answer, be sure to explain how these systems function, in what ways they are dysfunctional and the impact that that has on American politics. Then discuss possible reform .
