PS 101-015 Sample Essay Questions for Final

You must choose to answer 2 out of 3 possible essay questions on the final examination. The following five questions give you a good indication of what to expect: either very abstract questions that you can answer with all sorts of evidence from the course, and more specific policy questions that nevertheless lend themselves to evidence pulled from across the syllabus.

The task, either way, is not to express your opinion cleverly but to show that you can use lots of material from the course to defend that opinion (i.e., don't get too caught up in the question specifics). The answers should be thoughtful, well-organized and opinionated, but backed by as much evidence from our readings and lectures as you can muster. If you are pressed for time, or can summarize particular ideas in outline rather than paragraph form, you are encouraged to abandon complete sentences - style will not be part of your grade.

1. The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution to satisfy those who feared the new federal government would become too centralized and powerful. Since ratification, however, the meaning of those 10 amendments has shifted through Court interpretations, congressional acts and later constitutional changes. Overall, would you say that the evolution of American rights has been in favor of greater civil liberty, or less?

2. Should representatives elected to Congress rely primarily on their constituents' opinions when deciding how to vote on legislation, or should they primarily rely on their own judgment? Give both examples and abstract arguments to back up your opinion.

3. Throughout American history, many have yearned for what they considered traditional values (e.g., the family, the church, the community). Yet the nation also has pursued "progress" aggressively, which would seem to undermine the "old ways." Overall, would you say that American governance is hostile to people's traditions, or supportive?

4. The tension between liberty and equality has long been recognized by political theorists. Yet the United States somehow has managed to persist with a population that is both relatively free and relatively equal. Of the various possible causes for this balance - the legacy of American historical experience, the nature of political institutions, the culture and opinions of individual Americans, and the particular domestic policies - what contribution do you think each makes?

5. American political parties were weakened heavily at the beginning of the 20^th century, but recently have regained some influence as money brokers because of their ability to spend unlimited amounts of party-building cash. Judging from what you know of American history, the nature of U.S. political institutions, how Americans behave politically, and the way policies are constructed in the U.S., do you think the amount of money parties can spend should be limited?

6. Voter turnout in the 1990s has reached an all-time low, much lower than found in the United States at the turn of the century or found in European countries today. Overall, would you say that declining turnout levels are a good development, a bad development, or neither?