POLS 202 Final Exam https://bit.ly/33Aue4u (right-click to open in a new window)
Select ONE question each from Part A. Select ONE question from Part B. One question from Part C.
Format: Each answer should be AT LEAST 3 pages DOUBLE-SPACED in 12-point Times-Roman font, not including references. Use proper citations/references (right-click the links in the questions). PLEASE RESPOND TO ALL PARTS OF EACH QUESTION. Write your introduction by revising your conclusion, using appropriate references (for example, do not use Wikipedia), and proper citations.
Assessment and Grading: Your critical essays should be written from a policy-relevant evidence-based perspective. Each essay should have its own introduction and conclusion and your ability to: integrate and synthesize the reading materials and topics covered in class; apply theoretical concepts to real-world examples, and reason logically with conclusions supported by evidence. Develop your arguments using the links in the exam (please right-click the links in the questions to open in a new tab) and assigned course material and your own research.
Part A (Please select one)
(right-click on links within each question- to open in a new window)
Overview and background: According to analysis and interpretation of Pew researchs public opinion polling, the American public system has become highly polarized, which has been developing over the last twenty years. The findings of the recent 2020 poll reveal deepening intra-party fissures in political polarization.
How can these trends be explained from the perspective of eleven ethnoregional groups discussed in American Nations? According to your interpretation of American Nations, should we expect political polarization reduce/improve, remain the same, is a myth, or get worse social relations in the next few years? Why? Is the analogy of a Balkanized America an apt one? Conclude by discussing a) the implications for American government and politics and b) how does this contribute to your own understanding in relation to what you knew before you started this course? In other words, what new insights have you gained?
Overview and Background: According to analysis and interpretation of Pew researchs public opinion polling, the American public is becoming more polarized, a trend that has been developing over the last twenty years is in its 2020 poll reveals deepening Intra party fissures in political polarization as well as negative partisanship. Alternative perspectives, countering the underlying premise of dominant views Morris Fiorina continues to indicate that its sorting and not polarization which is taking place. Colin Woodard in American Nations contrasts the histories of eleven ethnoregional nations to characterize historical and contemporary trends in political polarization.
Write a critical essay applying insights from American nations and trajectories of eleven ethnoregional nations in American Nations in considering current trends in political polarization. What is your response to Pews perspective on polarization in relation to Fiorinas perspective? How do variations in political culture and the political economy of different ethnoregional groups discussed in American Nations explain polarization and partisanship? Is the analogy of a Balkanized America an apt one? Conclude by discussing a) the implications for American government and politics and b) how does this contribute to your own understanding in relation to what you knew before you started this course? In other words, what new insights have you gained? Please elaborate.
Part B (Please select one)
Overview and Background: The inequality in the distribution of wealth has always led to the development of interest groups. In Federalist No. 10, James Madison hence suggests that The most common and durable source of factions has been the various and unequal distribution of property. Adam Winkler argues that the Supreme Court with an understanding of a corporation as an association capable of asserting the rights of its members has paved the way for the steady expansion of corporate rightsa doctrine of corporate personhood.
Write a critical essay about how public and private interest groups use corporate personhood to shape public policy and political representation in the United States. How does the proliferation of public and private interest groups relate to the doctrine of corporate personhood? How do interest groups influence decision-making and get access? Please elaborate using examples of key: issues areas, spenders, and strategies. On balance, based on your assessment has the proliferation of interest groups been positive or detrimental (e.g., Super PACS and Dark Money) to U.S. politics and governance? Please elaborate and respond to all parts of the question. Review sources below the top
ten spenders of lobbying in the United States as discussed in the webtext chapter on Interest groups and opensecrets.org.
Write a critical essay about the role of the doctrine of corporate personhood and its implications for governance and politics in the United States. What are some key examples of Supreme Court cases where corporate personhood has been used to extend the powers of corporations? According to critics, corporate personhood works against democracyrepresentation, accountability, transparency? Do you agree? If so why? If not, why not? What would be some balanced ways expressed to consider corporate personhood rights that avoid extreme positions on the left and on the right (see suggestions for sources below)? Please elaborate and respond to all parts of the question.
Relevant Sources: 1) Review Canvas Discussion forum on Corporate Personhood (HLR book review; Elizabeth Pollman) 2) Webtext chapter on Interest Groups and opensecrets.org
Part C (Please select one)
Consider Institutional, Economic/technological, and cultural factors/aspects: Pew research political polarization, the 2020 gerrymandering; how states regulate voting; cultural and political economy (politics of resentment, inequality, antiracism/BLM, immigration, and demographic change debate, alongside (in)effectiveness of federal & government in general, weak candidate- campaign strategies, information, and media technologies)
All midterm elections are typically a referendum on a sitting President. Write an analytical essay based on projected models of the 2022 Mid-term elections (Senate future shape; House of Representatives) advising the leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties. These models indicate declining electoral competition and likely that the Democrats lose the majority in the House of Representatives and become a minority party also with a disadvantage in the electoral college in presidential elections.
Please elaborate and explain these results from each perspective. 1) Imagine you are a Republican strategist, what would you advise for the 2022 midterm (and 2024 elections) to return the Democrats in a minority (reflect on your responses in Part A and Part B, and the arguments in American Nations)? Will you focus on areas won or lost to influence voter turnout? Why? Please elaborate on the effects, especially in relation to competitive districts and the reflecting on long view arguments in American Nations and especially the explanation of 2020 elections 2) Imagine you are a Democratic strategist, what would you advise for holding on to the majority in 2022 mid-term and winning the 2024 Presidential elections reflecting on long-view arguments in American Nations, especially the explanation of 2020 elections? Will you focus on areas won or lost to influence voter turnout? Please elaborate on the effects, especially in relation to competitive districts. Why?
All midterm elections are typically a referendum on a sitting President. Based on current models, 2022, it is likely that the Democrats lose a majority in the House of Representatives and become a minority party also with a disadvantage in the electoral college in presidential elections. What factors have contributed to these outcomes? Imagine you are a Democratic strategist well versed in the arguments of American Nations, what lessons and insights for holding on to the majority in the 2022 mid-term and future 2024 elections? Please elaborate on the effects, especially in relation to declining in competitive districts, especially the explanation of 2020 elections through the lens of American Nations. Based on new redistricting, which areas won or those lost will you influence voter turnout in key states? What demographic groups within these states will you focus on and Why? Imagine you are a Republican strategist who has been reflecting arguments American Nation about especially the explanation of 2020 elections, what would you advise for the 2022 midterm (Senate future shape; House of Representatives) and 2024 elections. Will you focus on areas won or lost to influence voter turnout? Why? Please elaborate explains these results from each perspective.
Relevant Sources https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/redistricting-and-competition-in-congressional-elections/; http://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball Use interactive tools at https://fivethirtyeight.com; 270ToWin.com, and/or Taegan Goddards Electoral Vote Map and include maps with your essay.: 2014 Presidential, 2018 midterm elections, the 2020 Presidential elections If any of the links are broken, please locate alternative sources through the SPSCC library and your own research! (please remember to right-click the links in the questions in a new tab and save these sources!) You are expected to go use sources beyond the readings assigned in class.