POLITICAL CULTURE Response Papers (due at the beginning of class, Feb. 7)

INSTRUCTIONS: Your response paper should be relatively short: 2-3 pages,
double-spaced.  You do not have to fret over rules such as how to report
citations or what font size to use.  No folders, plastic covers, or other
enhancements are necessary.

ADVICE: Make sure you answer the question thoughtfully, in an organized way that
shows detailed familiarity with the readings.  If you summarize too much or
take up too much space with quotations, you are unlikely to have written a
good essay.  The emphasis should be on analysis and illustrating your
level of understanding (or your ability to identify clearly and
comprehensively what you do not understand about the readings).

Answer one of the following questions, drawing heavily on the assigned
readings for the topic:

1) When seeking an explanation why the United States has suffered a loss
of community, Robert Putnam blames the culture being developed by
American citizens.  In particular, he blames habits and development
that many of you share: living in suburbs, shopping at mall sprawl areas
like Hamburg Pavilion, consuming electronic entertainment, etc.  Even if
Putnam exaggerates the problems in this country, it is nonetheless true
that many Americans feel that they've lost something.  Judging from
your readings in FPV Ch. 4, Putnam, and Ladd, what do you think has
caused the sense that American communities have declined?

2) Tocqueville and Bryce both try to describe the American political culture
that they observed during visits to the United States.  Much time has passed
since they wrote, however.  Do you think that their descriptions still apply
to the modern nation in which we live, or do you think that something
fundamental has changed since their visits?  Defend your answer with evidence
from the readings.

3) Fiorina argues that immigration is healthy for the American political
culture, that it strengthens it.  Yet he fails to provide a very persuasive
explanation for why Americans have feared immigration since the founding of
the country.  Do you buy Fiorina's defense of immigration?  If so, use this
week's readings to explain why citizens would wrongly think immigration is
bad.  If not, explain why he is wrong.