This short answer essay is meant to gauge both your class engagement and retention of our content. Please respond to the four questions posted below. In order to receive full credit, you must address specific quotes and sections from the book American Government 3E Links to an external site., and cite the specific subsection or page you found it on, this is required to get full credit. This shows that you are directly engaging with course materials. Focus on connecting key terms from the texts, and show how the quote you chose relates to the question being asked. Whenever there is a key term, make sure you define it in your own words. To reiterate, your answer has two main components, quotes, and explanations in your own words. Your responses should be no longer than 2-3 paragraphs. They are not full essays. Please make sure to answer each specific part of every question. You may also want to provide additional real-world examples taken from the readings and lectures.
Please follow the formatting guidelines set out by the MLALinks to an external site. Links to an external site.for the setup (font, size, name block). This is not a full essay, however, we need you to use MLA as a template for your introductory material, and include your short responses after every question. For more help see the video on Canvas about this assignment. You will be deducted points if you do not follow this format.
Each answer will be worth 25 points, for 100 points total. Question Set 1 is due on Canvas at 11:59 pm on Friday, 4/28. You should upload your response as a .docx file or PDF to the Question Set #1 assignment tab. Please do not use any other file format. Additionally, any use of generative AI is expressly prohibited. If you cheat in any capacity, plagiarism or collusion with other students, it will garner an immediate failure.Here is a link to UCI’s academic policy.
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1. A) Using Section 1 of American Government 3E, explain the relationship between citizen engagement and healthy democracy. B) How does this relationship relate to the issues of engagement in the elitism/pluralism debate? C) Which theory is healthier for a democracy? Pick three quotes from the text and cite the specific subsection it was found to structure your response.
2. A) Using Chapters 1 & 10 of American Government 3E, explain the role of interest groups in civic engagement and solving collective action problems. B) How everyday people can use groups to get involved in politics (not corporations for example). C) What are some barriers to political participation? D) Connect these conversations with the theory of how external events trigger mass participation. Pick three quotes from the text and cite the specific subsection it was found to structure your response.
3. A) Using Section 2 of American Government 3E, explain the failures of the Articles of Confederation, and B) why the founding fathers created the new constitution in the way that they did. Focus on the big themes of the new government. Pick three quotes from the text and cite the specific subsection it was found to structure your response.
4. A) Using Section 3 of American Government 3E, explain how the roots of federalism came from the fears of the founding fathers. B) Name at least one of the early Supreme Court cases that formalized the boundaries of state and national power. C) Explain the dynamics of American federalism and extant models. D) What are the benefits and drawbacks of federalism? Pick three quotes from the text and cite the specific subsection it was found to structure your response.
A) According to Section 1 of American Government 3E, citizen engagement is essential for a healthy democracy because it promotes accountability, representation, and legitimacy. B) The issue of engagement in the elitism/pluralism debate relates to whether political power is concentrated in the hands of a few elite groups or is widely dispersed among different interest groups. Citizen engagement is necessary for a pluralistic democracy, where multiple groups have access to political power. C) While both elitism and pluralism have their benefits and drawbacks, a pluralistic democracy that encourages citizen engagement and participation is healthier for a democracy.
One quote from the text that supports the relationship between citizen engagement and a healthy democracy is “democracy is strengthened when citizens participate in public affairs and make their voices heard” (1.1). Another quote that relates to the elitism/pluralism debate is “power in American politics is widely dispersed among a vast array of groups” (1.2). Finally, a quote that supports the idea of a pluralistic democracy is “pluralists argue that democracy is best served when citizens have many avenues to influence policy and the ability to band together in groups to compete for resources and attention” (1.2).
A) According to Chapters 1 & 10 of American Government 3E, interest groups play an important role in civic engagement and solving collective action problems by representing the interests of their members and influencing policy decisions. B) Everyday people can use groups to get involved in politics by joining grassroots organizations or community-based groups that advocate for issues they care about. C) Barriers to political participation include socioeconomic status, education level, and lack of information or access to political resources. D) External events can trigger mass participation by bringing attention to specific issues or injustices, and providing a sense of urgency and collective identity.
One quote from the text that supports the role of interest groups in solving collective action problems is “interest groups provide a way for people with similar concerns to pool their resources, coordinate their activities, and amplify their voices” (10.1). Another quote that relates to everyday people using groups to get involved in politics is “citizens can participate in interest groups to influence the political process, even if they are not wealthy or well-connected” (10.1). Finally, a quote that supports the idea of external events triggering mass participation is “crises or disasters can mobilize people and organizations to demand change or rally around a common cause” (10.3).
A) Section 2 of American Government 3E explains the failures of the Articles of Confederation, including the weak central government and lack of authority to tax or regulate commerce. B) The founding fathers created the new constitution in the way that they did to establish a stronger federal government with checks and balances, separation of powers, and representation through a bicameral legislature. The big themes of the new government were to promote stability, order, and protection of individual rights.
One quote from the text that supports the failures of the Articles of Confederation is “the central government lacked the power to enforce its laws and policies, and the states often acted in their own self-interest rather than cooperating with one another” (2.1). Another quote that relates to the big themes of the new government is “the Constitution established a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful and to ensure that the government would serve the interests of the people” (2.2). Finally, a quote that supports the idea of protection of individual rights is “the Bill of Rights added specific protections for individual liberties and rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press” (2.2).
A) Section 3 of American Government 3E explains how the roots
