If you are unable to print out the essay by class time, you may submit it as an email attachment (Word, pdf, Google doc) to terri.peterson@lehman.cuny.edu, then print out a copy and hand it in next class; it will not count as late as long as I receive the emailed essay by class-time on April 5.

A number of scholars and political commentators have noted the dangers to the US’s democracy, focusing mainly on the retreat from longstanding institutional norms and democratic values by the Republican Party (aka ‘asymmetric polarization’) as well as increased polarization in general, with some worrying that the US is headed toward some form of democratic breakdown. Given this, respond to ALL of the following in one continuous essay:

What evidence for and/or against democratic decay do you find in:

i) electoral & party politics (including the role of interest groups & campaign financing) ii) presidential & bureaucratic politics

iii) Congressional politics

vi) the courts

Finally, v) are the strengths/weakness of the various institutions as noted by you in your response to i-iv due to the Constitution itself? to something else? Explain.

Note that some of the textbook chapters, articles, and videos relate more directly to some questions than to others, so concentrate on those in your response. Further, it is likely that you’ll spend more time on some questions over others; this is fine—as long as you answer each question fully. Finally, keep your introduction brief—no more than one short paragraph—and a conclusion is unnecessary.

As a general matter.

You are required to make use of course material, that is, you must make specific references to or offer brief direct quotes from the American Government textbook, the assigned online readings, videos, and chalkboard notes. You want to demonstrate to me that you did the readings—so be as detailed and specific as possible. Information for all of these answers can be found in the course material, so it’s just a matter of finding it and using it in your analysis.

You are allowed, but not required, to use any additional sources you find helpful. Do note that these sources should be in addition to, not as substitutes for, the course material. Again, you must demonstrate both your analytical abilities and that you’ve read and viewed the course material. If you only or mainly cite ‘outside’ sources rather than use the course material, you will not score as highly. If you do use other sources, offer a full citation of that source.*

Citation

In the case of the course material, you could write something like “According to chapter 6 in the American Government textbook. . .” or “As was noted in the New York Times video “Inside the Capitol Riot.” or “In Fling's piece on the deep state. . .”, etc. If you use only course material, you are encouraged, but not required, to list your sources (any format is acceptable).

If, however, you use material beyond that required for the course—and you are neither encouraged nor discouraged from doing so—you must list these sources at the end of your essay; again, any format (MLA, APA, Chicago/Turabian, etc.) is acceptable.

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

i Electoral Party Politics There is evidence of democratic decay in the form of voter suppression and g erry mand ering For example in the 2016 election 14 of African American voters were unable to vo... View the full answer