GOVT 2302 Summer 2003 Study Guide – Exam #1 ESSAY QUESTIONS. Answer the following questions in a thorough essay (separate essay for each question). Organize your essay(s) around a thesis statement. Include an introduction, separate paragraphs developing your supporting arguments, and a conclusion. A complete answer is one that addresses all parts of the question. Write complete sentences and pay attention to spelling, grammar, and word choice. Do NOT assume that “the instructor will know what you mean.” 1. Of the two major models of democratic government in the world today (the parliamentary system and the American system), which would you employ if you were part of a constitutional convention establishing a new system of government for a society. In your essay, you should contrast the principle features of the American system of government to the principle features of a parliamentary system. Specifically, identify and discuss the bases for selection and removal of the chief executive, the nature and role of the cabinet, political parties, interest groups, etc. Why is the model you’ve selected better than its alternative? 2. Discuss the policy classification scheme introduced in class. What is the purpose of using a policy classification scheme in general? What is the advantage of this scheme in particular over alternative schemes? What two questions must be answered in order to classify policy under this scheme? Identify each class and provide several examples to illustrate each class. 3. Discuss the two dimensions of public policy debate: mainstream and radical. How do we distinguish between mainstream and radical viewpoints? Using the classification scheme introduced in class discussions, discuss the mainstream and radical perspectives on each policy class, illustrating with appropriate examples. SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS. Answer the following questions in a paragraph (a separate paragraph for each question). Do NOT answer specific parts as separate items. Integrate your responses into a well-organized, well-constructed paragraph. A complete answer is one that addresses all parts of the question. Write complete sentences and pay attention to spelling, grammar, and word choice. Do NOT assume that “the instructor will know what you mean.” 1. Identify and discuss two criticisms regarding the perceived inefficiency and ineffectiveness of government in the United States. 2. Why did separation of powers become a key feature of the constitutional system of government in the United States? HINT: It was not to make the system more democratic! ANOTHER HINT: It was not to make the system more efficient or more effective!! What value(s) were the framers of the Constitution attempting to promote in making separation of powers a structural principle of American government? 3. Outline and discuss public policy’s five defining characteristics. IDENTIFICATION ITEMS. Define and identify the importance of the following items in a sentence or two for each. These items can generally be answered in two or three sentences. Students should go beyond simple definitions of the terms or concepts to say why each is important. It is possible that two terms may be paired in identification items. Your answer should be written to demonstrate your familiarity with and understanding of both terms or concepts in each pair. In this case, you should explain why the two are juxtaposed. Here is an example: [example] Article I, sec. 8:18 v 10th Amendment – Article I, sec 8:18 implies that the national government has powers beyond those that are expressly delegated in the Constitution while the 10th Amendment reserves for the states any powers not delegated by the Constitution to the national government. These provisions reflect the competing political philosophies of the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists respectively; consequently, the question of the balance of constitutional powers between the two levels of government must be resolved by judicial interpretation. policy statement implementing actions statute executive order administrative ruling court decision informal policy statement mainstream radical left radical right primary target group parliamentary model separation of powers president prime minister cabinet government president’s cabinet impeachment vote of confidence (vote of no confidence) coalition government “new politics” “social” regulation “economic” regulation monopoly natural monopoly negative externality positive externality anti-trust legislation “carrot approach” “stick approach” price ceiling price floor statutory incidence of a tax economic incidence of a tax public goods private goods MISCELLANEOUS BITS OF INFORMATION TO BEAR IN MIND: Please bring a “clean” blue book to class with you on the date of the exam. Place the blue book on the table at the front of the classroom. The instructor will then distribute blue books to the class. You will have 1 hour and 15 minutes (6:00 – 7:15pm) to complete the exam. You should use as much of that time as necessary to answer the exam questions thoroughly. Your primary objective probably should not be to get out of class early. Please do NOT write answers to test items in outline form or use incomplete sentences. We are administering written-format exams this semester in lieu of an outside writing assignment (i.e., research paper) to fulfill the writing requirement for the course. Your ability to write the English language effects your ability to communicate your understanding of the concepts and themes of this course. Write legibly!! PRINT if necessary! Write LARGE enough for the instructor to read your answers. The instructor will not grade illegible answers. Do NOT hesitate to ask questions of the instructor concerning any of the information you do not understand. The best time to ask questions is before rather than after the exam. Of course, during the exam is completely out of the question! It is the view of the instructor that the best way to prepare for the exam is to spread your studying out over the course of several study sessions. “Cramming” or setting aside a single block of time to study, regardless of the length, usually does not promote genuine understanding of concepts, themes, or major emphases. This study guide has been prepared to include the major themes, concepts, and emphases covered in class, as well as specific information from class lectures. Take full advantage of this study guide. I advise you to write out answers to ALL of the questions on this study guide, in as complete fashion as you would if you were writing answers for the actual exam. Then, study the answers you have written as opposed to studying from your notes. Of course, the gamblers among you will attempt to determine which questions they believe are likely to appear on the actual exam and only prepare answers to those questions. The questions that you will see on the exam are included in the study guide before you. It is up to you to utilize it in the way that maximizes your benefit. In short, the exam will essentially be a test of your preparation! Therefore, if you choose not to prepare yourself and do poorly, you have no one to blame except yourself; nothing to fear but fear itself; make your bed, now lie in it; dance with them that brung ‘ya; to get along, go along; the squeaky wheel gets the grease; ‘tis better to give than to receive; spare the rod, spoil the child; ask not what your country can do for you, rather ask what you can do for your country; the early bird gets the worm; a rolling stone gathers no moss; it’s better to be hacked-off than hack-sawed. Use the space on the back of this page to add your own hackneyed expressions and meaningless clichés. Feel free to attach additional pages as necessary.