Political Science 320
American Political Development
Fall 2012
TTh 9.30a-10.45a
Hillcrest 103
Christopher McGrory Klyza
Hillcrest 206
ex. 5309
klyza@middlebury.edu
Office Hours:
M 12.30p – 2.30p
W 10a – 11a
and by appointment
This course will trace the development of the American political system from its founding
through the present. Now in its third century, a historical perspective on how and why the
American political system developed in a particular way is crucial to understanding politics in
the United States. This is especially true given the current debate in Washington to significantly
reduce the size of the federal government. Throughout the course the main themes that we will
trace include the development and relative power of the main institutions of the American
political system (Congress, courts, presidency and executive branch) and the development of
parties and interest groups. We will pay special attention to the founding of the political system
and the response of the governing system to crucial events in American history, such as the Civil
War, the rise of industrialism, and the New Deal.
READINGS
Seven books are required for the course:
Hamilton, Jay, and Madison, The Federalist Papers (any edition is fine)
Orren and Skowronek, 2004, The Search for American Political Development
Skowronek, 1997, The Politics Presidents Make (rev. ed.)
Balogh, 2009, A Government Out of Sight
Lieberman, 2001, Shifting the Color Line
Friedberg, 2000, In the Shadow of the Garrison State
Mettler, 2011, The Submerged State
Readings on electronic reserve are marked by an * in the reading list. The password for the
course is not yet available; I will email it when ready. You can access many of these
readings directly from the web. You are NOT expected to print out these readings to bring
to class.
GRADES AND ASSIGNMENTS
(1) You are expected to be a regular contributor to the class discussions of the reading. This will
require your reading the assignments, understanding the author’s points, formulating and
expressing your own opinions, and questioning the opinions of others. Class attendance is
crucial, and absences will be penalized in your participation grade (20% of grade).
2
(2) Each student will be responsible for presenting a 5-10 minute report on a topic related to a
particular class. These topics will be selected from a list circulated in class. This presentation
may be the basis for one of the three short papers discussed below (10% of grade).
(3) You will be required to write three short papers (4-5 pages) during the semester. The topics
will be distributed in class. Due dates for the papers: Paper 1-September 27th, Paper 2-October
30th, Paper 3-November 29th (45% of grade; 15% per paper).
(4) A 15-page paper examining the political development of a particular agency or institution, or
the political system during a time period in the United States. A one-page prospectus is due on
November 6th; the final paper is due Tuesday December 11th (25% of grade).
NOTE: All assignments must be completed in order to pass the course. All late papers will be
penalized one-half letter grade per day.
September
11
Introduction: What Should Government Do?
CONSTRUCTING A NEW GOVERNMENT
13
Designing the Government
Reading: Articles of Confederation; Constitution.
18
The Debate over the Constitution
Reading: The Federalist Papers, Numbers 1, 9, 10, 14, 15, 23, 39, 45, 51, 85.
THEORY
20
The Search for American Political Development
Reading: Orren and Skowronek, The Search for American Political
Development, pp. 1-77.
25
continued
Reading: Orren and Skowronek, The Search for American Political
Development, pp. 78-171.
continued
PAPER 1 DUE
Reading: Orren and Skowronek, The Search for American Political
Development, pp. 172-201.
27
THE NINETEENTH CENTURY AND THE HIDDEN GOVERNMENT
October
2
The Role of the President and Jefferson
Reading: Skowronek, The Politics Presidents Make, pp. 1-85.
3
4
The Hidden Government
Reading: Balogh, A Government Out of Sight, pp. 1-111; *William Novak, 2008,
“The Myth of the “Weak” American State,” American Historical Review, 113:
752-772.
9
The Hidden Government: Political Economy and Expansion
Reading: Balogh, A Government Out of Sight, pp. 112-218.
The Hidden Government: Letters, Law, and the Civil War
Reading: Balogh, A Government Out of Sight, pp. 219-308.
11
16
18
NO CLASS—FALL BREAK
The Hidden Government: The Courts and into the Twentieth Century
Reading: Balogh, A Government Out of Sight, pp. 309-399.
23
Presidents Monroe, Adams, Jackson, and Polk
Reading: Skowronek, The Politics Presidents Make, pp. 86-176.
Presidents Pierce and Lincoln
Reading: Skowronek, The Politics Presidents Make, pp. 177-227.
25
THE PROGRESSIVE ERA:
THE NATIONAL STATE RESPONDS TO CORPORATE CAPITALISM
30
The State of Courts and Parties
PAPER 2 DUE
Reading: *McCormick, “The Party Period and Public Policy,” pp. 197-227;
*Schwartz, A History of the Supreme Court, pp. 174-202.
November
1
Reconstituting a New American State
Reading: *Skowronek, Building a New American State, pp. 3-46, 165-176, 285292; Skowronek, The Politics Presidents Make, pp. 228-286.
THE NEW DEAL AND THE THIRD AMERICAN REVOLUTION?
6
8
The Birth and Evolution of the Welfare State
PAPER PROSPECTUS DUE
Reading: Lieberman, Shifting the Color Line, pp. 1-117; Skowronek, The Politics
Presidents Make, pp. 287-324.
continued
Reading: Lieberman, Shifting the Color Line, pp. 118-234.
BECOMING A WORLD MILITARY POWER
13
The Cold War and State Building
Reading: Friedberg, In the Shadow of the Garrison State, pp. 1-80.
4
15
continued
Reading: Friedberg, In the Shadow of the Garrison State, read two among
chapters 3, 4, 5, 5, 7, or 8; pp. 340-351.
THE GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT AND THE CONSERVATIVE RESPONSE
20
22
27
29
President Johnson
Reading: Skowronek, The Politics Presidents Make, pp. 325-360.
NO CLASS—THANKSGIVING BREAK
Presidents Carter, Reagan, and Beyond
Reading: Skowronek, The Politics Presidents Make, pp. 361-464.
Why We Don’t Like Government (But Love Social Security)
PAPER 3 DUE
Reading: Mettler, The Submerged State, pp. 1-68.
December
4
continued
Reading: Mettler, The Submerged State, pp. 1-123.
6
Conclusion: What Should Government Do?
11
FINAL PAPER DUE (TUESDAY) by 4.00p, Hillcrest 206 (my office).