Note: the final is comprehensive, but this page only covers topics since the midterm

However, most (if not all) questions from the first half of the class will come from your midterm.  So be sure to ask to review your midterm a week or two before the final to review older material.

Ch 7: interest Groups-- Watching the Campaign Finance Video (found on the "Assignments Page" under "Campaign Finance") would be helpful here

1. Explain the basic premise behind the Elitist and Pluralist Theories of policy-making. 
2. Read the section in Chapter 9 on Ballot Initiatives.  Roesler argues that this should be considered a tactic of interest groups, since the only successful Initiatives are those backed by interest groups.  Explain how one of the recent initiatives in Missouri (Minimum Wage, Concealed Carry, Puppy Mills or Boats in Moats) illustrates Roesler's point.
3. Discuss the tactics/strategies used by interest groups to influence policy-making (lobbying, electioneering, ballot initiatives...).  Why are some groups more influential than others ("How Interest Groups Succeed")?
4. Discuss the tactics used by Martin Luther King in the Civil Rights movement (see chapter 5). Compare these tactics to those of more traditional interest groups seeking to affect policy.  Why didn't King use tactics that are more commonly used today?  
5. What this Daily Show clip on vandalism and the Occupy Wall Street protests.  How does this illustrate the reason why interest groups are hesitant to use protests, but instead favor of other tactics to influence legislation?
6. Candidates who spend the most money usually win and interest groups that have more money have more access and more influence.  How does this reflect the point that in terms of interest group spending on campaigns, liberty seems inconsistent with equality?
7. How does this Colbert interview of Robert Kennedy, Jr illustrate the power of interest groups?

Chapter 8: Parties & Minilecture (also review chapter 6)

1. Distinguish between a political party and an interest group.  Is the "Tea Party" a political party?
2. American politicians, beginning with George Washington, have been critical of parties, yet we still have them.  Why are they still relevant?  In other words, what functions/roles do parties play in our democracy (see "Parties Today and their Functions")?
3. In terms of groups affiliations (race, gender, socioeconomic status), who are ‘typical’ Democrats and Republicans?  Be sure to review chapter 6 & watch the Parties Minilecture for more on this).
4. What factors perpetuate the two-party system in the US (i.e. why is it hard for 3rd party candidates to win)?  Discuss the impact & role of 3rd parties.  Watch this interview of Ralph Nader to see his frustrations at the two main parties. 
5. What role do parties play in the US & other democracies?  Compare “responsible party government” with “divided government.”
6. Briefly explain the structure of the two main parties.

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  • Here's a stilly clip that's not as relevant on parties & socialization for children: daily show: One State two state

Chapters 9 & Campaign Finance Reform Video & Electoral Variations Article (a fellow student transcribed the clip here)

1. Discuss the role of money in elections and politics.  How has modern technology affected the need for money in campaigns?
2. Do donations by companies like Enron or MBNA buy influence or only access?
3. Discuss ways interest groups and candidates have used to circumvent campaign finance laws (such as the Federal Election Campaign Act) after the Buckley v Valeo decision.  How did the 2002 McCain-Feingold (BCRA) law try to address these questions? (see the video clips and the Chapter 11 "Policy Debate" on p444 and the Ch4 discussion on p.130 for more.)
4. Read this article about the impact of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) and watch this Colbert Clip on the ruling.  Given that corporations now have a constitutinoal right to spend money for or against candidates, do you think corporations will have even more influence on our politics?  What limits (if any) would you like to see on the political power of domestic and foreign corporations?   Here's an article about interest group spending in 2010 campaigns that's relevant.
5. How does the Citizens United ruling (NY Times Jan 2010) expand on the earlier Buckley v Valeo ruling?  Watch this Colbert clip about his SuperPAC.   How does Colbert's plan to use the Citizens United ruling to benefit his SuperPAC?   (If you want more context, watch this earlier clip about his PAC).   Here's a flackcheck.org analysis of arguably the most racist & sexist ad of the 2012 campaign season.     How do these clips illustrate the problem with the supreme court ruling allowing unlimited spending by outside groups?
6. How has the selection process for candidates changed over the years?
7. Watch this NOW clip on voting problems ("One Person One Vote" from halfway (about 5min 20sec) to the end) and this silly Daily Show clip  (here's part 2 of the silly clip) and discuss the two voting problems they illustrate (for voter registration and the voting process itself).  Discuss one benefit of electronic voting?  In your opinion, how hard would you make it to vote (voter registration standards)?  Should there be national voting standards? 
8. Watch this NOW ("votes for sale") clip (look on Moodle under "Assignment files" for a shorter clip) on Public financing for campaigns.  What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Maine & Arizona approaches?   ***NOTE: On June 27, 2011, the Supreme Court declared the "matching" funds portion of the AZ law to be unconstitutional***
9. What was the framers’ reason for creating the Electoral College to select the president? Discuss other approaches to selecting a president. (listen to Electoral Variations to answer this question; if you have trouble with the NPR site, try this link). You can also go here for a map of the 2008 swing states (some students had trouble accessing it on my Electoral Variations assignment).
10. Discuss Barack Obama's fundraising success in 2008.  Why do you think Roesler was concerned that he turned down Presidential Matching Funds in order to spend so much in 2008?
11. Watch the Donnybrook clip (on Moodle) on campaign contributions and lobbyists buying food for legislators.  Do you think it's okay for contributions and free food to "buy access"?   How does the average person have a chance to be heard compared with wealthy people & corporations (who now also have the first amendment free speech right to spend unlimited amounts of money on campaigns, according to the Supreme Court)?

Go here for Colbert's Rally for Herman Cain in South Carolina & his speech on Citizen's United take on Lincoln's "Government of the people, by the people..."

Go here to look at some of the weirdest political ads of 2010

Go here for an interesting read why we have elections on Tuesdays

Also, http://www.selectsmart.com/politics.html has a great site for comparing your views on issues with various presidential candidates.  It's a bit simplistic, but they have to be to be short. The direct link is: http://www.selectsmart.com/president/2008.html

-- for fun, watch this Colbert dumbocracy clip

1. What factors affect voter turnout?  Compare turnout in the US with that in other countries? (Figure 8.3)
2. Discuss the history of voting restrictions, including recent attempts to ease voting restrictions.
3. Which groups are most likely to participate in politics?
4. What are the problems of "checkbook democracy."

Chapter 11 --Watch Mr. Bill

1. How does representation differ between the House of Representatives and the Senate?
2. Explain how and why the House is a more formally structured institution.  For a fun look at filibusters, watch the 2nd half of this Daily Show clip.
3. In what way are both the Delegate and Trustee views of representation democratic?  Does Congress represent average Americans or wealthy special interests?
4. Read the first page of this short article on redistricting. In 1962, the Supreme Court in Baker v. Carr interpreted the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause to require that electoral districts be periodically adjusted to account for population shifts. Explain why this "one-person-one-vote" ruling forces states to redraw district boundaries after every census. 
5. Even though Americans are pretty evenly divided, there aren't many close US House races. Go to this CNN map and click on Missouri to see the 2010 outcome of US House races in Missouri (go here for the 2008 outcome of US House races in Missouri. What impact does  redistricting to create "safe seats" have on such (mostly) lopsided races? Given the political nature of gerrymandering, do you think the redistricting process gives voters a fair chance to change representatives.  Some argue that our system of gerrymandering allows Representatives to choose their voters rather than voters choosing their representatives.  How would a proportional representational system that is more commonly used in Europe (also see chapter 8 & 9) change that?
6. Discuss the role of congressional parties, leaders and committees in the legislative process. Be sure to know the leadership of Congress: names as well as titles for both houses (including party affiliation).   Also be sure to know the types of committees.  Note: the speaker of the House is NOT Nancy Pelosi-  go here for a fun look at the new speaker & at "Orange Americans" -- start at 3:55.
7. What are the main roles/powers of Congress?
8. Briefly explain how a bill becomes a law (Mr. Bill is helpful)

Chapter 12 - go here for history of presidential ads

1. Discuss the expresed (delegated by the Constitution), statutory & inherent powers of the President.
2. Disucss other resources and tools the president can use to promote his policies. 
3. Watch this clip on redefining wetlands.  How does this illustrate the power of the president?
4. Since the New Deal, the powers of the presidency have expanded dramatically while those of Congress have waned.  Why?  Does this reflect the intent of the framers of the Constitution?
5. Distinguish between presidential and parliamentary systems of governance.
6. Repeat from earlier: What was the framers’ reason for creating the Electoral College to select the president? Discuss other approaches to selecting a president. (listen to Electoral Variations to answer this question; if you have trouble with the NPR site, try this link or this one). You can also go here for a map of the 2008 swing states (some students had trouble accessing it on my Electoral Variations assignment).

For a different perspective on Presidential elections, listen to this NPR clip on a Republican's view of French elections. 

Chapter 17: Foreign Policy

1. Which branch traditionally sets foreign policy? The framers intended Congress to play the most important role in foreign policy -- why did that change? 
2. What other factors affect foreign policy-making? Watch this clip of "Why We Fight" (from 4 minutes to the 10 minute mark)  on the Eisenhower and the Military Industrial Complex. How does "political engineering" affect military spending? 
3. Discuss how American foreign policy has changed since George Washington's presidency.
4. Explain how the Bush Doctrine was used to invade Iraq.  For perspectives, read this PBS Frontline assessment or this 2004 Washington Post article.
5. Watch this clip on our operation in Libya.  Do you agree with "candidate" Obama or President Obama on the constitutionality of bombing Libya?  Contrast Bush's approach to Iraq with Obama's approach to Libya.
6. How was the War Powers Resolution an attempt by Congress to regain some control of foreign policy?  Professor Roesler argues it didn't work.  Does the case of Libya support Roesler?

Chapter 13: Bureaucracy;  Colbert Report clip on Wetlands definition; and this on Monopoly.;  For Fun, watch this Colbert clip on Fracking & this one on "Muffin-Gate"

You should watch the Domestic Policy Minilecture for this chapter, since some of it covers the bureaucracy and will be helpful in understanding this chapter

1. Watch this Colbert clip on Mad Cow testing.  Why don't we test every cow for Mad Cow Disease?  How does this reflect the general dilemna over bureaucracy (in other words, why don't we inspect every shipping container or remove all insect heads from our fig newtons?  Go here for more information on what the government allows in food.
2. Understand the organization of the federal government bureaucracy (cabinet departments, independent agencies, government corporations & regulatory agencies).
3. How do iron triangles and Congresssional oversight limit the President's ability to get his agenda through Congress (also see chapter 7)?
4. Watch this Colbert clip on the new TSA screening.   (or you can read Goldberg's blog of the search of his "resistance")  Many experts argue that this is not likely to be effective since there are easy ways to thwart the technique.  How does this fit with Ben Franklin's belief that "they that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety"?
5. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of devolution and privatization (contracting out to "shadow bureuacracies").

Chapter 14: The Judiciary

for a fun look at the Supreme Court, watch this clip starting at 4:20 (4 minutes & 20 seconds); also watch this Colbert interview of Jeffrey Toobin

1. Explain civil (tort) versus criminal law, stare decisis, amicus curiae and certiorari.  
2. What was the impact of Marbury v Madison on the power of the Supreme Court?
3. Listen to this article and distinguish between Strict versus Broad Constructionists.   This Colbert clip might help explain Strict Constructionism. Review McCulloch v Maryland.
4. Distinguish between Judicial Activism and Judicial Restraint.  Cite examples of both types of rulings.  Based on the above article, in recent years, which judges have been the most activist (striking down laws)?
5. Understand the Supreme Court procedures for choosing and deciding cases.

Chapters 15 & 16 & 60 Minutes: Where have all the addicts gone (avilable on Moodle) & articles:

• "Paying More, Living Less" St. Louis Post Dispatch, 8/27/2003
• “What Would Jesus Tax?” St. Louis Post Dispatch, 8/3/03 Kevin Horrigan
• Warren Buffet: Stop Coddling the Rich
• (optional) "A fix but no cure..." BBCNews.com, 6/3/2004 Imogen Foulkes

Note: even though there is not a quiz on chapter 16 & 17, you are responsible for this on the final exam, so be sure to review the questions below and take the practice quizzes on the textbook website!

1. The US government plays a much smaller role in domestic affairs (economic and social policies) than most other Western democratic governments.  How would political culture & values explain this? (Also see chapters 6 & 1).
2. Watch Roesler's lecture on healthcare reform on his webpage.  Discuss the reasons for health care reform.  Discuss one part of the bill you support and one part that you don't.  
3. Compare health care approaches in the US and Canada after reading "Paying More, Living Less." How does our approach fit in with our political culture and values? Be sure to look at the "statistics columns" from the WHO's pages: 
   http://www.who.int/countries/usa/en/ and http://www.who.int/countries/can/en/
4. Discuss the ways government can affect the economy: Regulation, Fiscal & Monetary policy.  Watch this interview of Obama's Head of the EPA for a defense of government regulation, especially with regards to mercury pollution. What is Lisa Jackson's argument regarding job growth and regulation?  For a fun look at government regulation, watch this Colbert Clip on raw milk.
5. Distinguish between progressive and regressive taxes.  Do you agree with Susan Pace Hamill argument in the article What Would Jesus Tax?  For an interesting look at taxes in America, watch this Daily Show clip (starting at 2 minutes).   If you have trouble with the WWJT article, try here OR here.
6. Read this article and discuss income inequality in America how the wealthy get far more tax breaks than low-income Americans. How much of America's wealth do the top 20 percent of wealthiest Americans own?
7. Read this Robert Gatter article on Health Insurance and the Commerce Clause.  Explain the ruling of the 11th Circuit Court of appeals (including their rationale).  Explain Gatter's perspective.  Do you agree that an "uninsured individual who forgoes care does not affect insurance and medical care markets?"
8. Read this article and explain why Billionaire Warren Buffet argues that our tax system is unfair.   (click here if you want to read more about it).   Watch this Daily Show clip on Buffet's ideas & class warfare -- in what way does Stewart argue we are a 3rd world country?   Watch this other Daily Show clip on unequal distribution of wealth in the US.  How much would going back to the Clinton tax rates for the wealthy save?   How much would you need to take from the bottom 1/2 (50%) of Americans to get the same amount?  Would you change our tax code to make it more "fair"?  If so, how would you make it more fair (fair for whom)?  Remember, there is no "right" answer here -- your answer depends on your values (economic freedom v promoting equality; maintaining economic order (balancing the budget) v economic freedom (lower taxes). 
   

9. Watch 60 Minutes: Where have all the addicts gone (on Moodle) and discuss the approach that Switzerland has taken towards drug policy.  Read this article and discuss Portugal's approach to drugs.  What are the benefits and drawbacks of these approaches?  Would you change our approach to drug policy? (If you want more info -- this part is not required!--  read this article: "A Fix But No Cure..." and this one: Swiss_heroin_model_reporting_benefits).

10. Watch this clip from the Colbert Report interview with former New Mexico Governor Johnson.   Make a case for or against changing our approach to drug policy.

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  • For more on the cost of the Obama/Republican tax cut deal, go here. 
  • For more on the topic (OPTIONAL) read this Christian Science Monitor article on the tax cut proposals and how much they cost over 10 years
  • For a fun look at the FED's "quantitative easing" policy, watch this Daily Show clip
  • For a fun look at Government as Big Brother, go here
  • For a fun (but insightful) look at the 2008-2009 economic crash, watch this Southpark clip or the whole Episode at http://www.xepisodes.com/episodes/1303/Margaritaville.html, especially the segment from 18:25 to 20 minutes
    
    

NOTE: I will NOT have a long essay on the final.  However, expect to have a few shorter essays derived from the topics below.

I will only grade your essays on the final exam if you are within 1 or 2 percentage points of the next higher grade. For example, if you have a 79% in the class, I will go back and review your exam essays to see if they would have helped bring your grade to a B.  I will NOT grade them if you have an 80% without factoring in the essays, for example.

It is NOT extra credit -- if I grade your long essay it will simply count as one more grade.  If you have a 79% in the class and get a C on the essays, then you will still get a C in the class. 

The short essays will be derived from some of the following topics (see the related study guide questions for more info):

1. Tax fairness
2. Discrimination
3. Drug Policy -- Switzerland & New Mexico
4. Money in politics -- Buckley, Citizens United & reform options
5. Health Care policy