Midterm Exams1 Define A Republic What Factors Are Necessary For A ✓ Solved

Midterm Exams 1.) Define a republic. What factors are necessary for a nation to be a republic. Write a paragraph describing what constitutional provisions exist that ensure America is a Republic. 2.) The congress is debating about an infrastructure bill to address issues like declining roads and bridges. Describe the legislature process that needs to take place for what needs to happen for this policy to pass through Congress.

How might the current Senate make up, (50 dems, 50 reps) make passing this bill difficult? What seanate procedure especially might making passing this infrastructure bill difficult 3.) Describe some of the outcomes of the American Rescue Plan act passed earlier this year? (Basically give at lease a 4-5 sentence description of the American Rescue Plan ACT) What was the goal of this legislation? What were some of the compromises that took place for this bill to be able to pass? Feel free to use outside research for this question. 4.) What are some tactics that the president has available to support or oppose the legislation through the policy making process. (before the policy passed.) Why is the president effective at helping passing policies?

5.) What is political polarization? List me three factors that you believe are contributing to the increas of political polarization and why do you believe they contribute to polarization? What is the affects of this polarization on American Politics? 6.) What are major changes to the role of the president? How has the development of mass communication reshaped the role of the presidency?

7.) Why is America considered a two party system? What is the role of third parties over the course of American History in presidential elections? What is a specific third party that has had substantial in American politics? What role did it have? 8.) Define federalism.

Which constitutional amendment ensured that states had a rights protected from federal government. Explain how the role of the federal government regarding federalism changed over time. Should more power be in the hands of the federal or state government. Why? 9.) Describe the main goals of the anti federalists and the federalists.

Then tell me whether or not you agree more with the federalists or the anti federalists and explain why. If you agree with some of the goals of the anti federalists while also agree with some of the goals of the federalists. This is also acceptable, so long as you explain which ones you agree and why. At least write 4 sentences. 10.) What is the difference between inside lobbying vs outside lobbying?

What are some tactics that interest groups use to engage in inside lobbying and outside lobbying? What is a public interest group and a private interest group? Is a public interest group more likely to engage in inside lobbying or outside lobbying? Is a private interest group more likely to engage in outside lobbying or inside lobbying?

Paper for above instructions

Assignment Solution

1. Definition of a Republic

A republic is a form of government in which the country is considered a "public matter" (from the Latin res publica), and is not the private concern or property of the rulers. In a republic, the affairs of the state are a public matter, and thus officials are accountable to the public. A key feature of a republic is the rule of law; there is an emphasis on democratic principles, where the authority of the government is derived from the consent of the governed, usually expressed through periodic elections (Merriam-Webster, 2021). For a nation to qualify as a republic, several factors are necessary. These include the presence of a constitution that guarantees individual rights, a system of checks and balances that prevents the concentration of power, free and fair elections, and protections against the tyranny of the majority (Smith, 2020).
In the United States, constitutional provisions that ensure a republic include the Bill of Rights, which protects individual liberties, and the separation of powers delineated in Articles I, II, and III of the U.S. Constitution (U.S. Constitution, 1787). Moreover, the Electoral College and mechanisms for electing representatives serve to maintain a republic through a representative democracy (Levinson, 2020).

2. Legislative Process for Infrastructure Bill

The legislative process to pass an infrastructure bill involves several key steps. First, a bill must be introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. Then, it goes through committee hearings where it is debated, amended, and voted on (Kirkland, 2021). If it passes in one chamber, it proceeds to the other chamber for similar consideration, and both chambers must agree on the final text, often requiring a conference committee to reconcile differences (Kirkland, 2021).
In the current Senate makeup of 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans, passing such a bill can be difficult due to potential party-line votes and the need for a supermajority to avoid filibuster (Kirkland, 2021). The filibuster is a significant procedural hurdle that allows a minority of senators to prolong debate on a bill and requires 60 votes to invoke cloture, thereby making it harder to pass legislation with a slim majority.

3. American Rescue Plan Act Outcomes

The American Rescue Plan Act, passed in March 2021, aimed to combat the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation provided direct stimulus checks to millions of Americans, extended unemployment benefits, and allocated funds for vaccine distribution and economic recovery initiatives (Baker, 2021). The goal was to provide immediate economic relief and stimulate sustained recovery efforts (Baker, 2021). Key compromises included reducing the income thresholds for stimulus checks to ensure more targeted assistance and the inclusion of a 0 weekly federal unemployment benefit extension over a shorter timeframe (Carrie, 2021).

4. Presidential Support in the Legislative Process

The president can employ several tactics to support or oppose legislation in the policy-making process. They can leverage their platform to build public support through speeches and media appearances, lobby Congress members directly, and utilize their veto power to influence legislative outcomes (Howell & Pevehouse, 2021). The president is effective in this process due to their national visibility, strategic use of executive power, and ability to create alliances within Congress, thereby facilitating their agenda's passage.

5. Political Polarization in America

Political polarization refers to the growing ideological divide between political parties and their constituents, leading to heightened partisanship (Pew Research Center, 2020). Three contributing factors include media fragmentation, social media influence, and gerrymandering (Fiorina, 2021). Media fragmentation allows citizens to select information sources that reinforce existing beliefs, while social media cultivates echo chambers and amplifies extreme viewpoints (Boulianne, 2019). Gerrymandering skews electoral districts, often protecting incumbents and reducing incentives for bipartisanship (Mann & Ornstein, 2016). The effects of polarization have manifested in increased partisanship within Congress, making compromise more difficult and intensifying political animosity among the electorate.

6. Changes to the Role of the President

The role of the president has evolved significantly over time, particularly with advancements in mass communication. Historically, the president was a more limited role, primarily executing laws passed by Congress. However, modern presidents engage in agenda-setting through televised addresses and social media platforms (Morris, 2018). These channels enhance executive visibility, allowing presidents to mobilize public opinion and assert greater influence over policy matters.

7. America's Two-Party System

America is considered a two-party system, meaning that two major parties dominate political landscape and elections (Dahl, 2005). Third parties exist and occasionally influence elections, but they typically struggle to gain substantial support due to the winner-take-all electoral system (Gerber & Green, 2017). One significant third party in American political history is the Progressive Party, which emerged in the early 20th century and influenced major political reforms addressing social issues and economic inequalities (Hoffman, 2020).

8. Definition of Federalism

Federalism is a political system in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, such as states (Elazar, 1987). The U.S. Constitution's Tenth Amendment ensures that states possess rights not delegated to the federal government, protecting state sovereignty (U.S. Constitution, 1791). Over time, the federal government has increasingly assumed powers traditionally held by states, especially in areas like education and healthcare (Kincaid, 2015). Whether more power should lie with the federal or state governments is a matter of ongoing debate; proponents of federal authority argue for national standards and equity, while advocates for states' rights emphasize local governance and flexibility.

9. Goals of Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

Federalists, who supported the Constitution, sought a strong central government to maintain order and stability, whereas Anti-Federalists feared that such power would threaten individual liberties and states' rights (Bickford, 1996). Personally, I align more with the Federalists because I believe a strong federal government is essential for addressing national issues, including economic disparity and security. However, I also recognize the Anti-Federalist concern for civil liberties and state autonomy, emphasizing the need for a balance between federal authority and state rights.

10. Inside vs. Outside Lobbying

Inside lobbying involves direct interaction with policymakers to influence legislation, while outside lobbying seeks to mobilize public opinion to pressure lawmakers (Baumgartner & Leech, 1998). Tactics for inside lobbying may include providing expert testimonies and drafting legislation, whereas outside lobbying often involves grassroots campaigns and media outreach (Austen-Smith & Wright, 1994). Public interest groups, which advocate for broader societal concerns like environmental protection, are more likely to engage in outside lobbying to garner public support. In contrast, private interest groups, representing specific industries or business interests, tend to focus on inside lobbying to negotiate favorable regulations directly with legislators (Tollison, 1997).

References

1. Austen-Smith, D., & Wright, J. (1994). Counteractive Lobbying. Public Choice, 79(1-2), 109-125.
2. Baker, S. (2021). The American Rescue Plan: Key Takeaways from the Legislation. The Brookings Institution.
3. Baumgartner, F. R., & Leech, B. L. (1998). Basic Interests: The Importance of Groups in Politics and in Political Science. Princeton University Press.
4. Bickford, C. (1996). "The Federalist Papers: A Commentary." The Political Science Quarterly, 111(1), 115-130.
5. Boulianne, S. (2019). Social Media Use and Participation: A Meta-Analysis of Current Research. The Information Society, 35(3), 155-171.
6. Carrie, R. (2021). Understanding the American Rescue Plan. Harvard Kennedy School Review.
7. Dahl, R. A. (2005). Who Governs? Democracy and Power in an American City. Yale University Press.
8. Elazar, D. J. (1987). American Federalism: A View from the States. Chatham House Publishers.
9. Fiorina, M. P. (2021). Political Polarization in the American Public. Annual Review of Political Science, 24, 334-350.
10. Gerber, A. S., & Green, D. P. (2017). Field Experiments: Design, Analysis, and Interpretation. W. W. Norton & Company.