Unit I: Introduction to Economic Concepts - AP

Difficile est tenere quae acceperis nisi exerceas

It is difficult to retain what you may have learned unless you should practice it.

Pioneer High School

2013-2014 Edition

AP Government and Economics

Major Assignments and Unit Readings

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Introduction

First: I’d like to congratulate you at reaching this point, only the most dedicated students even attempt to take an AP class. Hopefully this class will be intellectually rewarding, interesting, and at times even fun.

Second: Don’t panic! This booklet is designed to cover the whole year. If you were given most of your assignments for any class, it might seem overwhelming. I’ve created this booklet so that you can get ahead, but more importantly so you can plan your time well. I know that you will have other classes and activities; this is my attempt to give you a way to manage your time effectively.

Third:

You can write in this book, it’s yours. You can underline important passages, make corrections as needed and make notes in the margins. For the readings, because they are primary sources, spelling was left as it was originally written, but that doesn’t mean everything is perfect.

Fourth: Don’t get over confident. This is not “everything” that you will be doing this year. You will also be reading, completing some small assignments, taking notes, reviewing your material, and just plain studying for quizzes and exams. Additionally, if time is short, I may modify an assignment listed in this reader, especially with the changing nature of a school day, who knows when we may have a fire drill or a rally to interrupt our perfect plan.

Syllabus Abbreviation Key

Wilson - The APGOV Textbook

Course Unit Topics

General Assignments

Assignments

Multiple Choice Hints

FRQ Rubric

In Class Debates

Assessments Page

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Study Guides and Notes

Prompted Essay Assignment

Semester Bridge Assignment

Online Class Component

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Economics Unit I:

Introduction to Economic

Concepts

Extra Credit

Chapters 1 and 2-

Economics Test

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Economics- Unit II

America’s Market

Economy

Local Business Project

Supply and Demand Exam

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Unit I- Constitutional

Underpinning of the U.S.

Government.

Supply and Demand Determinants Essay

Chapter 1 Exam- Multiple

Choice and 1 FRQ

Exam Chapter 2 (25 multiple choice questions 1

FRQ)

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Unit II-Political Beliefs and Behaviors

Unit III- Political Parties,

Elections

Unit IV- Interest Groups and Media

Unit V- Branches of

Government-

Part A Congress

Unit V- Branches of

Government-

Part B -The Presidency and the Bureaucracy

Chapter One Study Guide

Basic Politics Simulation

Chapter Two Study Guide

Chapter Three Study Guide

Plato- The Cave

Locke- Two Treaties

AntiFederalist #84

Federalist #51

Federalist #10

Beard- Framing the Constitution

Lawrence and Dorf- How not to read the

Constitution

McCulloch v. Maryland

United States v. Lopez

Chapter Four Study Guide

Chapter Five Study Guide

Chapter Six Study Guide

Opinion Poll Project

Tocqueville- Democracy in America

Brooks- One Nation Slightly Divisible

Chapter Seven Study Guide

Chapter Eight Study Guide

Election Project

Jefferson- A Profession of Political Faith

Chapter Nine Study Guide

Chapter Ten Study Guide

Interest Group Project

Reform the Media Project

Fallows- Why Americans Hate the Media

Study Guide for Chapter 11

Article on Congress Essay

Mock Legislation Simulation

Burke- Speech to the Electors of Bristol

Ellwood- In Praise of Pork

Starobin- Pork a Time Honored Tradition

Riedl- Nine Thousand Earmarks

Chapter 12 Study Guide

Chapter 13 Study Guide

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Section 1

Unit Exam Chapter 1,2, 3

Multiple Choice and FRQ

Unit II Exam Ch 4, 5 & 6-

Multiple Choice and FRQs

Unit III Exam Ch 7 & 8-

Multiple Choice

Unit IV Exam- Chapters 9

& 10- Three FRQ’s

Chapter 11 Exam- Multiple

Choice and One FRQ

Chapter 12 and 13 Exam

Multiple Choice and Two

FRQs

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137

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146

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125

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Unit V- Branches of

Government-

Part C- The Judiciary

Economics - Unit III

Markets, Prices, and

Business Competition

Unit VI- Policy Making

Economic, Foreign and

Social Policy

Not an error- Ch 20 is grouped in the Policy unit

Not an error- Ch 21 is grouped in the Policy unit

Unit VII- Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

Economics -Unit IV:

Government in the

American Economy

Economics- Unit V:

International Economics

Neustadt- Presidential Power and the Modern

President

Weber- Bureaucracy

Chapter 14 Study Guide

Supreme Court Writing Assignment

Scalia- Liberty and Abortion; A Strict

Constructionist’s View

Chapter 15 Study Guide

Chapter 16 Study Guide

Chapter 17 Study Guide

Chapter 20 Study Guide

Chapter 21 Study Guide

Public Policy Project

Will- Why Didn’t Bush Ask Congress?

Easterbrook- Some Convenient Truths

Chapter 18 Study Guide

Chapter 19 Study Guide

Supreme Decisions- Civil Rights Project

Williams- Proposition 209

Create Your Own Business Project

Stock Market Project

Economics Final

Unit V Exam- Multiple

Choice

Markets and Financial

Institutions Test

Unit Exam Multiple Choice and FRQs

Unit IX Exam Ch 18 & 19-

Multiple Choice and FRQs

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APGOV

Multiple Choice (45 minutes for 60 questions)

1. Don't panic if you come across difficult questions. The test is supposed to have some very hard questions so they can tell the difference between more and less prepared students.

2. Use at least two go-throughs on the test. On you first run answer only the questions you are sure of. Then go back and do the other you didn’t know. Often times you will get hints or your memory will be jogged by the questions you did know.

3. Circle EXCEPT questions so you can remind yourself you are looking for a FALSE statement for the answer.

4. Do not change an answer unless you are sure it is wrong. Make sure erasers are clear.

5. If a multiple choice question is left blank, no points are deducted. Since a quarter of a point is deducted for incorrect answers, students should avoid making random guesses. Students may benefit from educated guesses though.

6. You can and should make marks on the multiple choice test itself in order to keep track of the choices that they have eliminated. You can write on the test, but not on the answer sheet.

7. Keep your eye on the clock. You have 45 minutes to answer 60 questions. If you have additional time, double check your answers.

Free-Response (1 hour 40 minutes – 4 questions) .

For the AP exam this section accounts for 50% of your overall score. There are four questions – you must answer all four – which count equally. Because the free-response questions are open-ended, this is your opportunity to demonstrate your broad understanding of U.S. government and politics. You will be asked to analyze some of the basic concepts that form the foundation of the American political system. Most questions will ask you to characterize relationships among various political institutions, their responsibilities, and the consequences of their actions. Some questions will ask you to analyze both sides of an issue. You will see directives like analyze, assess, evaluate, examine, and discuss . This means that knowing facts is not enough. You must be able to use facts to construct a thorough and intelligent response.

1. Understand the Question: READ IT!!! Read and then reread the question for clarity. If it helps, rephrase the question for clarity. Look for key words such as who, what, when, why, argue argument, explain, and discuss. Know what the question is asking you. If you are asked to discuss the change in federalism over time, you won’t get full credit for simply defining federalism. The rest of the answer involves your interpretation of federalism changing through court cases, new policy, etc. READ THE QUESTION CORRECTLY.

2. Identify the question type

There are generally three types of questions on the exam. The verbs which the question uses will tell you what kind of question is being asked

I. Write about the meaning of a concept. Key verbs: define, describe, identify, list, state, summarize.

II. Write about both sides of an issue or recognize similarities and differences . You don’t need a full thesis statement to answer these questions because your not asked to take a position and argue for it, however, you do need an organizing statement to orient the reader to the answer. Key verbs: compare, contrast, discuss, explain, and illustrate.

III. Write about a position and argue for a specific point of view . A thesis statement is require for this type of question. Key verbs: analyze, argue, and interpret.

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3. Which path do I take?

Often times, FRQ’s will ask you to come up with several concepts and then to elaborate on them. They might ask for “two reasons” or “three examples.” However, there is often 7 or 8 possible right answers. Therefore, before you write, make a list of all possible answers that you know could work. Then, choose the ones that you feel most comfortable writing about. HINT – AP readers do not penalize you for wrong answers, only missing answers. Therefore, if they ask for “two examples,” then give three examples because it will give you another possibility of getting points if your other answers missed the mark.

. Aim for three pieces of supporting evidence in your response. Three examples are just enough to prove your point. Any more than this will read too much like a list and will detract from your essay and could cost you points.

4. Do I need an introduction?

Does the question ask you to take a position? If so, take one. Don’t sit in the middle, argue one side because they don’t care which side you argue. They only care that your argument works. ONLY WRITE AN INTRO

IF THEY ASK YOU TO TAKE A DEFINITE STAND. Introductions in an other situation is a waste of time.

5. Format? Formulate and outline. Some questions are multiple-portioned and it will help to formulate an outline in order to properly answer the entire question. Answers to some questions, even if they are multiple-portioned, might be answered better in a more traditional format, with each paragraph addressing a piece of evidence. It may help to use this basic outline format:

Paragraph 1: your position or interpretation of the given information.

Paragraph 2: your first piece of evidence and any supporting details. (The details can be in bullet form)

Paragraph 3: your second piece of evidence and any supporting details.

Paragraph 4: your third piece of evidence and any supporting details.

Paragraph 5: summary of your points and restatement of your position.

The example below is a good way to think about answering most FRQs. It is very mechanical in that you number your answers, and it is also easy on the reader, which they will appreciate. ALWAYS WRITE LEGIBLY IN BLUE OR

BLACK PEN.

Sample Response from the 2005 Exam

Question: Explain how two factors keep the United States Supreme Court from deviating too far from public opinion. (AP accepted 6 possible answers)

1. Presidents nominate Supreme Court justices so they can’t deviate too far from public opinion. Since the president is elected, the general public shares his opinion on a lot of issues. When there is an opening on the court, the President wants to make a choice that the people agree with, especially if he plans to run for reelection. If he nominates a person who deviates too far from public opinion, there will be a backlash in his approval ratings.

2. Supreme Court rulings can be overruled with new laws or constitutional amendments so they can’t deviate too far from public opinion. The members of Congress are responsible to the people, so they must guarantee that law follows public opinion if they hope to be reelected.

6. Re-read your answers

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Students always are in a rush to turn in their tests, but if you have to sit in the room for 100 minutes anyway, why not re-read your answers? Each question is scored independently. Therefore, you will not be able to “make up” points on questions that you feel you did not answer well by overcompensating. Go back and make sure you answered each question fully. If you did not, you can write more at the end, and then draw an arrow to the appropriate place where the information belongs.

General Tips

 Give concrete examples. Specific examples of your answers help solidify your answers.

 Answer all part of the question. Exam graders will reward students for more for answering all parts of the question than for doing well on only one part.

Understand what you are being asked before you start writing.

Don’t panic and start making things up. It is better to just make a brainstorm list and you might get lucky and stumble across a right answer.

Do’s and Don’ts of the FRQ

Do’s

Write as neatly as possible. If they can’t read it, they can’t grade it. Neatly draw a line through a mistake, write correct information above.

Read the question. Then read the question again. Make sure you’re answering only what is being asked.

Reread your work if you have time. Make sure you LINK THE QUESTION TO THE ANSWER!

There is no penalty for wrong information, so write as much as you can. If they ask for two examples, give three.

Use the EXACT VOCABULARY from the question in each component of your answer. Most rubrics ask for linkage back to the question. This is the sure fire way to move in that direction.

Don’ts

1.

Don’t give personal opinions (like your political affiliation or whether you like the president’s policy).

The exam tests your knowledge of political process, not opinion.

2.

Don’t give long, unnecessary introductions, get right to the point.

3.

Don’t give information they didn’t ask for. There are no extra credit or “brownie” points.

4.

Don’t spend more than 25 minutes on any free response question.

5.

Don’t fall asleep. Fight the fatigue. Time is generally not a factor. Do not look back and think about how you wasted it because you were tired, bored, or indifferent.

6.

Don’t label your sections (A,B, C, 1, 2, 3, etc. . ) It is possible to earn points from the first part of the

FRQ in a later part of your essay if it is not labeled. If you label your sections, the readers will be forced to lock in on finding the answer within individual sections.

Scoring and Credit

The raw scores of the exam are converted into the following five-point scale:

5 - Extremely well qualified

4 – Well qualified

3 – Qualified

2 – Possibly qualified

1 – No recommendation

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FRQ Rubric

Unlike the APEH or APUSH rubrics, there isn’t really a set FRQ rubric for APGOV, because the questions vary so much. However there are some general guidelines to follow for all APGOV exams. Let’s use the

2005 APGOV FRQ as an example again. The essay question was worth six points, which does not sound like allot but, when all FRQs make up half of the exam, six points can be the difference between a 3 and a 4 on the

AP overall score. Here is an example of what an AP reader is given when they read your essays.

Question: Explain how two factors keep the United States Supreme Court from deviating too far from public opinion.

Part A: 2 points

One point is earned from each of the two descriptions. The response must correctly describe two features of the Supreme Court that insulate it from public opinion. The description must identify each feature and add an additional clause or sentence that is factually correct and relevant to the identification. This may be an example or illustration. The response must also link each feature to public opinion. Congress may be used as a surrogate for public opinion, but the Presidency cannot unless explicitly linked to public opinion.

Acceptable descriptions may include:

“Appointed” or “not elected”

Serve life terms

Courts ability to control its own docket/set its own agenda

Salaries cannot be reduced

Limited access to Court proceedings

Descriptions that are not acceptable include:

The Courts role as interpreter of laws/Constitution

The fact that the Court accepts only legitimate controversies

Part B: Four points

Two points are earned for each of the two explanations. The response must explain how or why each identified factor keeps the Supreme Court from deviating too far from public opinion.

So, the most important aspects of the FRQs are:

1.

Answer all parts of the question

2.

Back up your answers with examples that are correct and relevant to the question.

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AP Government Debates

OBJECTIVE: Students in this AP section are required to deliver a formal debate to their class. This requirement may be met by an individual debate (one-on-one), 2v2, or 3v3. Each student will be required to address the class for a period of at least 4-7 minutes. During this time the students will debate issues relating to US Government.

GRADING THE DEBATE: SEE ATTACHED

STRUCTURE AND CONTENT OF THE FORMAL DEBATE: Students will be divided into two teams; an affirmative team, that will debate/defend the resolution and a negative team that will oppose the resolution. Each side will research their position gathering facts, data, and other information to their position. Students will be encouraged to use a variety of sources including information from the library, public institutions (public libraries, local universities), and the internet. The structure of the debate is as follows:

5 minutes Affirmative Original Construction of the argument: During this time period the affirmative side will present the major arguments supporting the resolution based upon the research.

Name: __________________

4 Minutes Cross examination: During this period the Negative may ask the Affirmative questions of clarification.

Name: __________________

5 Minutes Negative Original Construction of the argument: During this period the Negative side will present the major arguments against the resolution based upon the research.

Name: __________________

4 Minutes Cross Examination: During this time the Affirmative may ask the Negative questions of clarification.

Name: __________________

4 Minutes Affirmative Rebuttal: During this time the Affirmative may challenge the validity of the Negative's original argument. This can be done by introducing information to counter the points made by the Negative side.

Name: __________________

5 Minutes Negative Rebuttal: During this period the Negative may offer information to counter any points brought up during

Affirmative's original argument, defend points brought up during Negative's original argument, defend points raised by

Affirmative rebuttal, and restate their original argument.

Name: __________________

1 Minute Affirmative Rebuttal: During this time period the Affirmative may rebuttal any of the Negative's major arguments and sum up their position.

Name: __________________

Original Construction of Argument Speeches: Speeches will allow the Affirmative and Negative speakers to offer evidence in support of their position in addition to disprove the arguments offered by the opponent. In the original construction speech the student will research the resolution and create arguments in support of their position.

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HINTS:

1) 2-3 main points

2) Have a road map

3) Anticipate the other side

4) Quotes for support (but don’t overdo it)

5) Talking is better than reading: personal experience

6) Strong opening and closing sentences

7) USE note cards, do not read an ESSAY

Rebuttal Speeches: Serve as an opportunity to clarify the issues presented in the debate and to question the evidence presented by the other side. This is best done by gathering information that rivals or contradicts the other side. The focus of a rebuttal speech should be only to address the information presented by the other side. No new topics should be introduced.

Time Limits and Visual Aids: All time limits have an extended grace period of up to 15 seconds for each speech. This applies to speeches that go over the limit, not those that are too brief. There will be a 3-5 minute question and answer period following each debate to allow the class members or instructor to participate by questioning the speaker and/or discuss the information presented. Visual aids are optional but a good idea. The debates will be presented in front of the classroom, with the speakers standing when presenting and addressing the audience as well as the opponent. FORMAL ATTIRE IS REQUIRED!

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DEBATE TOPICS: To be completed over the course of the two terms. Groups of no more than 3 students!

Constitutional Underpinnings-

 The Federal government has been devolving more power to the states. This trend is positive because it allows states to better meet the individual needs of their citizens.

Political Beliefs and Behavior-

 Low voter turnout among people threatens democracy in America.

 Because of political apathy among young people, their issues are not adequately addressed.

Political Parties and Interest Groups-

 Interest groups, PACs, and 527s have too much clout in shaping public policy.

 Multi-party political systems more effectively represent citizen interests than does the American twoparty system.

Institutions/Three Branches of Government-

 The Supreme Court is too heavily influenced by politics.

 The United States should reduce the number of regulatory agencies, because they generate red tape, raise prices, and reduce competitiveness in the world market.

 Judicial review is undemocratic. It permits non-elected judges to decide whether or not a law is constitutional. It can frustrate the intentions of democratic governments by overruling the actions of elected officials.

 The president has become so powerful that there is no longer an effective balance of powers.

Public Policy

 The Congressional committee system gives too much power to the majority party in setting the political agenda. As a result, the views of the minority party are ignored.

Civil Liberties and Civil Rights—

 Affirmative Action programs are necessary to safeguard equal opportunity in both education and employment for minorities.

 In the interest of public safety, the Fourth Amendment rights of those under the age of 18 should be severely limited.

Student Critique Form

YOUR NAME:________________________________________________________

DEBATE TOPIC:______________________________________________________

TEAM BEING CRITIQUED:____________________________________________

Positive aspects of opening statement:

How opening could have been improved:

Were the questions clear and focused? Did they challenge the opponent's position?

Did the debaters directly and persuasively respond to questions?

Positive aspects of closing statement:

How closing could have been improved:

How effective was the use of statistics?

How effective was the use of quotations?

What would have improved this debate?

What did these debaters do best?

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Debate Grade Sheet

DEBATE TOPIC: POSITION/STANCE:

TEAM BEING GRADED: 1. _________________________ 2.

TIME: ________ ___/15 OPENING STATEMENT

___/10 DIRECT QUESTIONING

___/15 CLOSING STATEMENT

TIME: ________

TIME: ________

___/10 RESPONSE TO QUESTIONING

___/10 USE OF STATISTICS/QUOTATIONS

___/5 ENNUNCIATION, VOLUME, ETC.

___/5 DRESS AND APPEARANCE

___/70 Total

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APGOV Study Guide and Note-taking Assignment

For APGOV the college board has broken the course into six major themes:

I. Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government

II. Political Beliefs and Behaviors

III. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media

IV. Institutions of National Government

V. Public Policy

VI . Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

Even though there are less major units than APUSH or APEH, there is still a great deal of information to learn for this course. This assignment will be the method you will use to organize the course content and how I will keep you accountable for keeping pace with the reading. I will check your notes on exam days.

For each chapter, you will have a series of questions in a study guide. These study guides will be due on the day of the chapter or unit exam. In order to be efficient with our time in class, you will have to do some reading and note taking at home. Here is the format for notes for APGOV.

For most note taking, the typical Cornell note system follows this format:

1.

Record : During the lecture, use the note taking column to record the lecture using telegraphic sentences.

2.

Questions : As soon after class as possible, formulate questions based on the notes in the right-hand column.

Writing questions helps to clarify meanings, reveal relationships, establish continuity, and strengthen memory. Also, the writing of questions sets up a perfect stage for exam-studying later.

3.

Recite : Cover the note taking column with a sheet of paper. Then, looking at the questions or cue-words in the question and cue column only, say aloud, in your own words, the answers to the questions, facts, or ideas indicated by the cue-words.

4.

Reflect

: Reflect on the material by asking yourself questions, for example: “What’s the significance of these facts? What principle are they based on? How can I apply them? How do they fit in with what I already know? What’s beyond them?

5.

Review

: Spend at least ten minutes every week reviewing all your previous notes. If you do, you’ll retain a great deal for current use, as well as, for the exam.

For the notes that I give you in class, or my power points via the web page, they should be written on the right hand side of your note sheet as you would on typical Cornell notes. For the left hand side however, I would like you to

“Enhance” your notes. What I am looking for, is that you go through the chapter and that you add anything I may have missed, specifically incorporating the list of terms included on each study guide. Most of the terms are included in the chapter, but others are not. These terms become important for two major reasons:

1.

They serve as the basis of information for many of your multiple choice exams

2.

They serve as factual hooks that you can use in your FRQ essays.

For the question area of your notes, you should indicate as you review your notes, which themes did the particular topic, person, or event address? You could streamline your note-taking with symbols, numbers or letters indicating which part or parts relates to the PERSIA acronym. This will help with your overall review of your notes.

Enhanced Notes: Notes you have added to the Core Notes

Chapter Terms

APGOV Note Organization

Your notes should have the following parts

Core Notes: Notes provided by Guemmer

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Your Notes should look something like this:

APGOV Note Sheet

Enhanced Notes

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Core Notes

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Summary

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Prompted Essay Assignment

In a democracy the free flow of opinions is critical for a vital government. To be an active member of society, you need to be able to express your opinion in an informed way.

The assignment: Choose eight of the following prompts, and write a 5 paragraph persuasive essay for each of your chosen prompts. Choose a position either pro or con to argue.

Each essay is worth 20 points, and will be graded on the strength of your arguments and the clarity of your writing. Each prompted essay will be due every week throughout the term on Fridays, unless there is no

Friday that week, in that case they will be due on Thursday. These essays will be due on the day assigned and will not be accepted late, except in the case of a legitimate medical absence. Individuals who are participating in athletic events are still obligated to turn their essays in on the due date.

1.

A just government ought to value the redistribution of wealth over property rights.

2.

In the US, the use of race as a deciding factor in college admissions is just.

3.

As general principle, individuals have an obligation to value the common good above their own interests

4.

Individual claims of privacy ought to be valued above competing claims of societal welfare.

5.

The US has a moral obligation to promote democratic ideals in other nations.

6.

The government’s obligation to protect the environment ought to take precedence over its obligation to promote economic development.

7.

Even if disclosure is legally permissible, journalists have an ethical obligation to limit material released to the public.

8.

A just society ought to value the legal rights of people with mental illness above its obligation to protect itself.

9.

The US has a moral obligation to mitigate international conflicts

10.

A society has a moral obligation to redress its historical injustices, such as slavery.

11.

When in conflict a business' responsibility to itself ought to be valued above responsibility to society.

12.

In the US Judicial system, truth seeking ought to take precedence over privileged communication

13.

In the near future we will be able to build robots that are as intelligent and powerful as humans, and will therefore have the ability to take over from humans. We should therefore stop conducting research into robotic intelligence.

14.

Should voting in elections be compulsory?

15.

The US Constitution prohibits people originally from other countries from being President, and should be amended to change this

16.

The constitutional limit preventing US Presidents from serving more than two terms should be repealed

17.

Young people should be subjected to night-time curfews as a way to reduce crime

18.

America should change its Immigration Policy, so children born to illegal immigrants would not automatically become citizens.

19.

The United States federal government should substantially decrease its authority either to detain without charge or to search without probable cause in the name of national security.

20.

The Federal Government should punish states that knowingly attempt to violate Federal Drug laws.

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21.

Congress should establish English as the national language

22.

The government should set minimum education standards as part of voting rights

23.

The state of California should be split into two or three parts in order to govern it more efficiently

24.

The Federal government should create national identity cards in order to eliminate the problem of illegal immigration and terrorism in the United States.

25.

Teenagers who commit a felony should be charged and tried as adults.

26.

California high schools should adopt a statewide uniform dress code in order to eliminate inappropriate attire.

27.

Private businesses should have the right to ban cell phone signals.

28.

The age to vote should be raised to the drinking age in order to be more consistent

29.

The U.S. should reinstitute a military draft

30.

Restrictions on stem cell research should be eliminated in order research cures for neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s

31.

The United States should limit its involvement in international conflicts to those countries that pose an economic or military threat.

32.

Congress should reinstitute the “Fairness Doctrine” on broadcast media.

33.

Corporal punishment should be reinstituted in California schools to improve student discipline.

34.

The California High School Exit Exam should be expanded to include science and history

35.

The California government should allow private corporations to manage their prisons like other states allow.

36.

Junior high and high schools should randomly test their athletes for drug use.

37.

The government should ban television advertising that is aimed at children.

38.

The Department of Education should create a national standards exam, similar to the CAHSEE or

CST that would be part of required classes final grade.

39.

Museums should return cultural artifacts in their exhibits back to the country of origin

40.

Community service should be a requirement for individuals who want to apply for welfare or other government assistance.

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Semester Bridge Assignment

Holiday Song Project

Groups of no more than 3 (you can always work by yourself if you prefer) you will write a politically-satirical version of a well-known holiday song , and then perform it in class on the Friday before break. Each group must get me a copy of their song NO LATER THAN THE LAST THURSDAY OF THE QUARTER, AT THE BEGINNING OF

CLASS!!! I must approve all songs prior to the class period that we present! You will also let me know who you are working with-sign up!!

Suggestions and considerations:

1. Your song should mirror the original song in terms of verse/chorus construction as well as length. You may want to expand the song if it includes too many repeating “fa-la-la-la-las.”

2. You must incorporate material from the units already covered, in combination with current political events.

A minimum of SEVEN vocabulary words or concepts must be UNDERLINED in the lyrics. Also, feel free to read ahead and include material from upcoming units, or material from class discussions and past experiences.

3. Props, signs, costumes, masks, musical instruments, and other forms of creative expression (interpretive dancing anyone?) are strongly encouraged.

4. Anyone and anything in government and politics are fair game for your satire, so, by all means be funny and irreverent. In fact, that’s the point. On the other hand, try to use good taste.

5. The best songs are those which mirror the actual phrasing and syllabic structure of the original. These are the most difficult to write, but they are much easier to sing, which increases your chances of having the class sing along with you! Please give your absolute best effort.

1. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

2. The Christmas Song

3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

4. Winter Wonderland

5. White Christmas

6. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

7. I'll Be Home for Christmas

8. Jingle Bell Rock

9. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

10. Little Drummer Boy

11. Sleigh Ride

12. Silver Bells

13. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

14. Feliz Navidad

15. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

16. Blue Christmas

17. Frosty The Snow Man

18. A Holly Jolly Christmas

19. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

20. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus

Lane)

21. (There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays

22. Santa Baby

23. It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

24. Carol of the Bells

25. Wonderful Christmastime

26. What Child is This

27. All I Want for Christmas

28. Deck the Halls

29. O Come All Ye Faithful

30. Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer

31. The Twelve Days of Christmas

32. Away in a Manger

33. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

34. Angels We Have Heard on High

35. Up on The Housetop

…And Many More…

GRADE=20 POINTS

NAMES: 1.

PERIOD:

ORIGINAL SONG:

GRADE: /20pts + EC=

1. SONG LENGTH: 2-3 verses

5pts

2-3 verses and chorus

2. 5 VOCABULARY WORDS OR CONCEPTS (Underlined):

5pts

Seven vocab/concepts are underlined

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4

2.

GRADE ASSESSMENT

/20 (any props, costumes, instruments)

3pts

1 verse and chorus

3pts

Five vocab/concepts are underlined

3.

2 1pt missing a chorus or does not contain a verse

2 1pt

Only one vocab/concept is underlined

3. CURRENT POLITICAL EVENTS

5pts

Verse and chorus contain politics

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Current political events

4. SONG RESEMBLANCE:

5pts

Mirrors the actual phrasing and

4 syllabic structure of the original

COMMENTS:

3pts political material

3pts either verse(s) or chorus do not mirrors majority of phrasing and syllabic structure of the original

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2

1pt both chorus and verse(s) lack current political events

1pt does not mirror the phrasing or syllabic structure of original

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In an attempt to give students the closest approximation to a college class experience, without actually being there.

To be efficient with our time, to increase the variety of assignments and to increase group collaboration, several assignments will have an online component.

Online Class Components

Special Note: All these assignments can be completed in one way or another without a computer or online access.

Online Assessment Categories

Note taking

We can only cover about half of the content material in class, especially if we want to other activities besides lectures (I know I do!), so you have to complete your notes at home. All the notes are available online, in a couple of different locations- my web page at phs.wjusd.org or the online wiki page.

If you have a computer but do not have the internet, if you bring in a flash drive, I can give you a copy of all of the notes. Barring that, all the notes come from the textbook directly, so you can get them from there as well.

Podcasting

Some of the assignments have an alternative podcast component, which do require a computer generally to complete. Specific information is available on the class wiki page.

Assignments

I try to put copies of all the major assignments and worksheets online in case you lose one, or you need another copy. I try not to make too many extra paper copies to save on ink.

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AP Govt. Extra Credit Opportunities

News Programs

The following instructions must be explicitly followed in order to earn the extra credit.

Partial credit is not awarded – “it’s all or nothing”.

The number of points earned is dependent on the selected program watched.

REQUIRED TASK:

Watch any one or all of the required programming, taking handwritten notes during the show(s).

Your name and period must be on all papers submitted. NO NAME – NO CREDIT!

Papers must be typed, Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, double-spaced, standard margins, front-sides only, staple all pages together with the handwritten notes behind the typed pages for that show.

Type the name of the show watched at the top.

Type a subheading: Synopsis. Then type a brief synopsis of the show; taking care to note:

1) the date of the program

2) who moderated

3) the person(s) interviewed, opinions expressed, statistics cited, etc.

Then type a subheading: Reaction.

1) Express your reaction/opinion of the show/interviews

2) Comment on the views & positions taken by the interviewees and justify your stance, in other words, explaining why you are taking that position.

Minimum: 1 typed page for both synopsis & reaction per program (synopsis & reaction may be on the same page) [Handwritten notes should be at least a page of notebook paper per show.]

Maximum: 2 typed pages per program

Papers submitted must be your own work. Anything less will result in a zero and you will lose your eligibility to turn in any extra credit for the rest of the year.

The programs are Sunday morning shows, therefore all work must be turned in on the following Monday – no exceptions.

(If you are absent, send it in with someone…otherwise you are out of luck for that week.)

QUALIFIED PROGRAMS:

Meet the Press (NBC) [10pts.]

Fox News Sunday (Fox) [10 pts]

This Week (ABC)[10 pts.]

Face the Nation (CBS) [5 pts.]

McLaughlin Report (PBS) [5 pts.]

You may earn up to 20 points per week. There is a limit of 30 points per progress report to report card (or vice versa), equating to a 60 point maximum per 9 week term. This limit is for all extra credit options. You may mix and match extra credit options. One written extra credit and one podcast, but the maximum total will still be 60 points for the term.

Podcasts

The following instructions must be explicitly followed in order to earn the extra credit.

Partial credit is not awarded – “it’s all or nothing”.

REQUIRED TASK

Option One (20 points): Choose one of the Supreme Court cases that are relevant to the Unit the course is currently covering. o Research the case o Through a podcast format you will report on the following:

What were the essential facts of the case

 What constitution question was the Court trying to answer.

The judgment of the case

 What were the views of the judges in the minority

What was the significance of the case in regards to this unit.

Option Two (20 points): Choose five of the vocabulary terms that are relevant to the Unit the course is currently covering. o Research the terms o Through a podcast format you will report the following:

 What is the essential meaning of the term(s) in question

Give at least one example of how the term is used in government today.

 For each term you must create a separate podcast for each, not one long one!

For either option: you will post your podcast(s) on the AP Student Wiki page,

You will not link them from another server,

You will upload the actual files to the wiki page and embed the files there.

Your podcasts must have your name and the Unit related to the podcast.

You may earn up to 20 points per grading period, equating to a 60 point maximum per semester. This limit is for all extra credit options. You may mix and match extra credit options. One written extra credit and one podcast, but the maximum total will still be 60 points for the term.

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Unit I: Introduction to Economic Concepts

Capital

Capital good

Capitalism

Command economy

Competition

Consumer good

Consumer sovereignty

Cost benefit analysis

Division of labor

Economic growth

Economic interdependence

Economic Product

Economic system

Economics

Economy

Entrepreneur

Factor market

Factors of production

Financial capital

Fixed income

Free enterprise

Free enterprise economy

Good

Gross Domestic Product

Human capital

Inflation

Labor

Land

Market

Market economy

Mixed economy

Modified private enterprise economy

Need

Opportunity cost

Paradox of value

Private property rights

Product market

Production

Production possibilities frontier

Productivity

Profit

Profit motive

Scarcity

Service

Social Security

Specialization

Standard of living

Trade-off

Traditional economy

Unit Terms

Utility

Value

Voluntary exchange

Want

Wealth

Major Ideas

What is Economics

What are Three Basic Economic Questions

What are the Four Factors of Production

What is the difference between a need and a want

What are the Seven major Goals of the US Economy

What were the major ideas and contributions of Adam Smith and Karl Marx to Economic theory?

Major Assignments

Chapters 1 and 2- Economics Test

Summer Assignment

Current Events o Comparison Essay

Adam Smith and the Origin of Capitalism

The Communist Manifesto- Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels o Textbook Reading and Review o Local Business Project

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Local Business Project

(Poster or Powerpoint and Spoken Presentation)

40 points for Visual, 20 points for Spoken Presentation)

Presentations will be given in alphabetical order of the name of the business

NAME OF THE BUSINESS:

1.

Why did you research this business?

2.

List the natural resources needed for this business

3.

List the capital goods needed for this business

4.

List the type of labor required for this business ( manager, cashier, cook, etc. . )

5.

Who was the Entrepreneur (Either the Business Founder or local Franchise owner) a.

When did he/she start this business locally?

6.

How does this business reduce costs?

7.

With whom or with what does this business compete (may not be local) a.

What makes this business different from its local competition?

8.

How does this business market itself (advertise)?

9.

How has current, either nationally or regionally, economy effected this business?

10.

How have local and state regulations helped or hindered the growth of this business?

11.

Looking forward, what will happen to this business in the future?

A. Projects will have all Basic Questions answered in your Poster/Powerpoint and Presentation with as much specific information as possible.

B. It is encouraged, but not required that you have photos, actual advertisements, pamphlets, job applications, and other useful documents from the business you researched

Your Project will be graded on the following Criteria

1.

Completeness- Are all the basic questions answered as fully as possible.

2.

Professionalism- Is it neat, clean, spelled correctly

3.

Creativity- Does your project clearly show that you spent considerable time working on this project.

If you wish to create a power point for this project, copy your files onto a flash drive for the purposes of presenting it either the first or second day of class.

Tips for Success on this Project

1.

Start Early

2.

Be polite and introduce yourself to the Owner/Manager, explain what your assignment and what information you require.

3.

Try to fit the Owner/Manager’s schedule, if they are busy, they will be less likely to help you.

4.

Don’t get discouraged, some businesses will not want to give you information, it might be their corporate policy.

5.

Thank the Owner/Manager when you are finished, they are doing you a favor

Bankruptcy

Better business bureau

Bond break even point

Cash flow

Chamber of commerce

Change in demand

Change in quantity demanded

Change in quantity supplied

Change in supply

Charter stock

Collective bargaining

Complements

Conglomerate

Co-op

Cooperative

Corporation

Credit union

Demand

Demand curve

Demand elasticity

Demand schedule

Depreciation

Diminishing marginal utility

Diminishing returns

Dividend

Double taxation e-commerce

Elastic

Unit II America’s Market Economy

Elasticity

Fixed cost

Horizontal merger

Income effect

Income statement

Inelastic

Interest

Inventory

Labor union

Law of Supply

Law of Variable proportions

Limited life

Limited partnership

Long run marginal analysis

Marginal cost

Marginal product marginal revenue

Marginal utility

Market supply curve

Merger

Microeconomics

Multinational

Net income

Nonprofit organization

Overhead

Partnership

Principal

Production function

Professional association profit maximizing quantity of output

Proprietorship

Public utility

Quantity supplied

Raw materials

Shareholder

Short run

Sole proprietorship

Stages of production

Stockholder

Subsidy

Substitutes

Substitution effect

Supply

Supply curve

Supply elasticity

Supply schedule

Theory of production

Total cost

Total product total revenue

Unit elastic

Unlimited liability

Variable cost

Vertical merger

Major Concepts

What are the three basic types of businesses and what are their advantages and disadvantages

What is demand?

What is the difference between a change in demand and a change in quantity demanded?

How is the elasticity of a good or service determined?

What is supply?

What are the three stages of production in relation to supply?

Major Assignments

Supply and Demand Determinants Essay

Self-Business Project

Supply and Demand Exam

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Supply and Demand Determinants

(50 points)

Just like the rest of the economy, supply and demand also controls the automotive industry; when popular cars sell like hotcakes, everybody wants one. The automotive industry is production driven and the manufacturer controls the inventory shipped to the dealer. Up through the 1960s, the American automobile industry dominated the world market, the Big Three- General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford controlled a huge percentage of the American car market. In the 1970’s a new player entered the car market- Japan. During the oil crisis of the early 1970’s, Japanese car companies like Honda, Toyota and Nissan started selling small, fuel efficient, and inexpensive vehicles compared to the large, inefficient American cars. Today, Japan dominates the

American car market. The American car companies are asking themselves. . “What happened?” You are going to help them.

Assignment: Using the textbook, the Internet, magazines, and newspapers you and a partner will complete the following.

Create a list of all of the Determinants of Demand and Supply and provide specific examples of how each one influences the American car market.

Write a 2-3 page proposal that will explain to the American Auto industry how at least three of the

Demand/Supply Determinants are negatively influencing their business and what ideas you have to overcome these determinants.

You will create one of the following:

A podcast commercial (video or audio) that will attempt to overcome one of your three

Determinants

A billboard (poster) that will attempt to overcome one of your three Determinants

You will present the following to the committee (the class)

Your ideas for all of the Determinants you chose.

Your podcast or you will explain the rational behind your billboard.

Unit I- Constitutional underpinning of the U.S. Government

“The strength of the Constitution lies entirely in the determination of each citizen to defend it. Only if every single citizen feels duty bound to do his share in this defense are the constitutional rights secure.”

Albert Einstein

Assignments

Chapter 1,2, and 3 Study Guides

Declaration of Independence Rewrite

Basic Politics Simulation

Women- In the Constitution Discussion

Federalism Scavenger Hunt (ws)

Federalists vs. Anti- Federalist Chart (ws)

Federalism Power Chart (ws)

AP Government Debate #1

Assessments

Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 Exams – Multiple Choice and

FRQs

Unit I Exam- Two FRQs

Secondary Readings

Plato- The Cave

Locke- Two Treaties

AntiFederalist #84 On the Lack of a Bill of Rights

Federalist #51

Beard- Framing the Constitution

Lawrence and Dorf- How not to read the Constitution

McCulloch v. Maryland

United Stats v. Lopez

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Chapter 1 Study Questions

The Study of American Government

7.

What is meant by power, and by political power in particular?

8.

Relate the latter to authority, legitimacy, and democracy.

9.

Distinguish among the three concepts of democracy mentioned in the chapter.

10.

Explain the three senses in which the textbook refers to the United States government as democratic.

11.

Differentiate between majoritarian politics and elitist politics.

12.

Explain the four major theories.

13.

Why are political scientists cautious in stating how politics works or what values dominate it when confronted by political change?

Authority bureaucrats

Democracy

Direct or participatory democracy

Elite

Karl Marx

Legitimacy

Terms to Know

Majoritarian politics

Marxists

Max Weber pluralists

Power

Representative democracy

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Basic Politics

Law I

All rules created by the players must be obeyed.

Law II

All dealings with the Bank must be scrupulously honest.

Law III

No player may attack or steal money from another.

Law IV

No rule may be introduced involving a further unconditional distribution of resources from the Bank to any of the players.

Law V

No additional rule may be introduced enforcing a direct payment from one player to another.

Law VI

All games will be concluded at the end of the class period.

Law VII

A player unable to meet financial commitments at the beginning of a round must withdraw from the game, and cannot re-enter it.

Law VIII

Any of the rules (not the laws) of the games may be changed by an absolute majority of the players, or by a number of players previously agreed to by an absolute majority.

Law IX

Unless specifically prohibited by a rule, any form of negotiation and side payment between players is allowed.

However, negotiations and deals are not binding.

Law X

Any player breaking one of these laws shall be immediately expelled from the game, forfeiting all monies held. Any further penalty that is agreed to by a majority of the players shall also be enforced.

How to Play Primitive Politics

The first round begins with the following set of rules (which the players can change at any time):

11. Each player must ante up $5 to the central kitty (each player starts with $100).

22. The Bank matches the resources in the kitty dollar for dollar.

33. Players bid for the central kitty. Players must place the amount of each bid in front of him or her on the table (but not in the kitty). If they wish to raise a previous bid they must place the additional cash on the table. No bid may be withdrawn once made.

44. The entire amount in the kitty is paid out to the player making the highest bid.

55. ALL bids are forfeit and returned to the bank.

66. Once the payout has been made, play recommences with a new round and each player contributing $5 to the central kitty.

77. The winner is the person with the most money at the end of the time period or the only person remaining in their group.

88. Rules may be introduced at anytime.

Your assignment:

Figure out how to win!

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Use your own words to answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper. This should be typed.

1.

Make a list of the points that the text makes on what the “Colonial Mind” was thinking at the time of the

Revolution.

Chapter 2 Study Questions

The Constitution

2.

Make a detailed list of the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation.

3.

What was Shays’s Rebellion and what role did that play in the push for changing the Articles of Confederation?

4.

Why were the Framers suspicious of democracy? What is the delicate problem for the Framers as stated on p.

25?

5.

Make a chart comparing and contrasting the Virginia Plan, New Jersey Plan, and the Great Compromise

6.

What were the other compromises involving the president and the Supreme Court decided at the Convention?

7.

What is the difference between a democracy and a republic and how did the Constitution strike a balance between these two forms of government?

8.

What is judicial review?

9.

List and define the two major principles of American representative democracy?

10.

Start memorizing the list of checks and balances on p. 29 in the green box. We will be referring to this list for the rest of the year. You also need to start learning which powers are given only to the Senate.

11.

What was the founders’ solution to the problem that people will pursue their own self-interest? How is that different from what ancient philosophers believed? What did Madison argue and propose in this context?

12.

Make a chart showing the Federalist and Antifederalist arguments about the Constitution. Leave room to add to it.

13.

The book lists liberties that are guaranteed in the body of the Constitution. Learn that list. Define writ of habeas corpus, bill of attainder, and an ex post facto law.

14.

What arguments did the Federalists use against having a bill of rights?

15.

Summarize the three provisions in the Constitution regarding slavery. Why didn’t the Founders abolish slavery?

16.

Study the box on p. 41 outlining how to propose and ratify an amendment. Read over the language in Article V of the Constitution. Memorize these methods.

17.

What was Charles Beard’s interpretation of the Framers of the Constitution? What is now known to counter his interpretation?

18.

In the ratifying conventions, what were the economic divisions of who favored the Constitution?

19.

What are the arguments that women were or weren’t left out of the Constitution?

20.

Outline the criticisms presented of the separation of powers and the counter arguments.

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21.

What are the proposals of those who the government is too large and who would seek changes in the

Constitution to limit the government? What are the counter arguments?

By the end of chapter Two, you will be responsible for being able to define and explain all these items.

John Locke Federalist Papers Ex post facto law social contract Bill of Rights

Natural Rights

State of Nature

Virginia Plan

New Jersey Plan

The Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Proportional Representation

Enumerated Powers

Republic Separated Powers unalienable rights

Thomas Hobbes

Democracy

Oligarchy

Monarchy

Mixed Government

Articles of Confederation

Constitutional

Convention

Shays’s Rebellion

Northwest Ordinance factions judicial review separation of powers federalism

Popular sovereignty

Federalists and Antifederalists

James Madison

Alexander Hamilton

Federalist

Coalition

Nos. 10 and 51

Bill of Attainder

Necessary and Proper Clause

Apportionment

Supremacy Clause

Treason

Fugitive Slave Clause

Veto

Electoral College

Original Jurisdiction

Appellate Jurisdiction

Line-item veto

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Chapter 3 Study Questions

Federalism

1.

Define federalism and explain how such a system differs from a unitary or a confederal system.

2.

Make a chart listing the positive and negative aspects of federalism. Leave room for additions

3.

Using the chart on p. 53 and the rest of the material in the book to list the elements of the Constitution that

1) restrict the powers of the states 2) protect the powers of the states 3) describe how the states should deal with each other and 4) have been used to expand the power of the federal government

4.

What was the principle of nullification?

5.

Define initiative, referendum, and recall

6.

Define mandates. Give examples. Explain the disadvantages to states of federal mandates.

7.

Explain what was in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, the 1995 law that the Republicans passed.

8.

What are other ways that the federal government imposes costs on state and local governments?

9.

Why did the GOP in Congress embrace the idea of devolution and what was the effect of the reform of

AFDC?

10.

Why was it possible to enact devolution for AFDC but not for Medicaid?

11.

What are the explanations that the book gives for why members of Congress pass laws that cause governors and mayors to complain about the role of the federal government?

Supreme Court Cases

I strongly recommend that you start flash cards on 3 x 5 cards for the Supreme Court cases. Include information on the background of the case, ruling of the court, and significance of that particular case. You will have dozens of cases by the end of the year and this will be very helpful for your study.

1. Fletcher v. Peck (1810)

2. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

3. Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

4. National Labor Relations Board v. Jones & Laughlin Steel (1937)

5. Wickard v. Filburn (1942)

6. Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States (1964)

7. South Dakota v. Dole (1987)

8. United States v. Lopez (1995)

9. Printz v. United States (1997)

10. United States v. Morrison (2000)

11. Gonzales v. Raich (2005)

12 Gonzales v. Oregon (2006)

Federalism

Devolution

Sovereignty

Unitary System

Confederation

Tenth Amendment

Clause 18)

Terms to Know

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

John C. Calhoun

Dual Federalism

Layer Cake Federalism

Marble Cake Federalism

Creative Federalism and The Great Society (LBJ)

Supremacy Clause (Article VI) New Federalism (Competitive Federalism)

Elastic or “Necessary and Proper” Clause (Art. I, Section 8, initiative referendum recall Commerce Clause (Art. I, section 8, clause 3)

“Full Faith and Credit” Clause (Art. IV, Sec. 1)

“Privileges and Immunities Clause (Art. IV, sec. 2) grants-in-aid categorical grants

Enumerated Powers (national) {also called Expressed or

Delegated Powers}

Reserved Powers (state)Concurrent Powers

Implied Powers block grants revenue sharing grants

Mandates

104 th Congress

Denied Powers

John Marshall

Nullification

Unfunded Mandates

Conditions of Aid

Devolution

Second-order devolution

Third-order devolution

Significant Laws

I recommend that you start flash cards for these laws. Include a short summary of what the law did and its significance. Some of these laws will appear several times in the course.

Civil Rights Act (1964) National Voter Registration Act or Motor Voter

Clean Air Act (1970)

Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)

Registration Act (1993)

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (1995)

Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity

Reconciliation Act of 1996 or Welfare Reform Act

No Child Left Behind (2002)

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Plato: The Allegory of the Cave, from The Republic

Plato, the most creative and influential of Socrates' disciples, wrote dialogues, in which he frequently used the figure of Socrates to espouse his own (Plato's) full-fledged philosophy. In "The Republic," Plato sums up his views in an image of ignorant humanity, trapped in the depths and not even aware of its own limited perspective. The rare individual escapes the limitations of that cave and, through a long, tortuous intellectual journey, discovers a higher realm, a true reality, with a final, almost mystical awareness of Goodness as the origin of everything that exists. Such a person is then the best equipped to govern in society, having a knowledge of what is ultimately most worthwhile in life and not just a knowledge of techniques; but that person will frequently be misunderstood by those ordinary folks back in the cave who haven't shared in the intellectual insight.

The essential point is that the prisoners in the cave are not seeing reality, but only a shadowy representation of it. The importance of the allegory lies in Plato's belief that there are invisible truths lying under the apparent surface of things which only the most enlightened can grasp. Used to the world of illusion in the cave, the prisoners at first resist enlightenment, as students resist education. But those who can achieve enlightenment deserve to be the leaders and rulers of all the rest. At the end of the passage, Plato expresses another of his favorite ideas: that education is not a process of putting knowledge into empty minds, but of making people realize that which they already know. This notion that truth is somehow embedded in our minds was also powerfully influential for many centuries.

Judging by this passage, why do you think many people in the democracy of Athens might have been antagonistic to Plato's ideas? What does the sun symbolize in the allegory?

Is a resident of the cave (a prisoner, as it were) likely to want to make the ascent to the outer world? Why or why not? What does the sun symbolize in the allegory? And now, I said, let me show in a figure how far our nature is enlightened or unenlightened:--Behold! human beings living in an underground den, which has a mouth open towards the light and reaching all along the den; here they have been from their childhood, and have their legs and necks chained so that they cannot move, and can only see before them, being prevented by the chains from turning round their heads. Above and behind them a fire is blazing at a distance, and between the fire and the prisoners there is a raised way; and you will see, if you look, a low wall built along the way, like the screen which marionette players have in front of them, over which they show the puppets.

I see.

And do you see, I said, men passing along the wall carrying all sorts of vessels, and statues and figures of animals made of wood and stone and various materials, which appear over the wall? Some of them are talking, others silent.

You have shown me a strange image, and they are strange prisoners.

Like ourselves, I replied; and they see only their own shadows, or the shadows of one another, which the fire throws on the opposite wall of the cave?

True, he said; how could they see anything but the shadows if they were never allowed to move their heads?

And of the objects which are being carried in like manner they would only see the shadows?

Yes, he said.

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And if they were able to converse with one another, would they not suppose that they were naming what was actually before them?

Very true.

And suppose further that the prison had an echo which came from the other side, would they not be sure to fancy when one of the passers-by spoke that the voice which they heard came from the passing shadow?

No question, he replied.

To them, I said, the truth would be literally nothing but the shadows of the images.

That is certain.

And now look again, and see what will naturally follow if the prisoners are released and disabused of their error. At first, when any of them is liberated and compelled suddenly to stand up and turn his neck round and walk and look towards the light, he will suffer sharp pains; the glare will distress him, and he will be unable to see the realities of which in his former state he had seen the shadows; and then conceive some one saying to him, that what he saw before was an illusion, but that now, when he is approaching nearer to being and his eye is turned towards more real existence, he has a clearer vision,--what will be his reply? And you may further imagine that his instructor is pointing to the objects as they pass and requiring him to name them,--will he not be perplexed? Will he not fancy that the shadows which he formerly saw are truer than the objects which are now shown to him?

Far truer.

And if he is compelled to look straight at the light, will he not have a pain in his eyes which will make him turn away to take refuge in the objects of vision which he can see, and which he will conceive to be in reality clearer than the things which are now being shown to him?

True, he said.

And suppose once more, that he is reluctantly dragged up a steep and rugged ascent, and held fast until he is forced into the presence of the sun himself, is he not likely to be pained and irritated? When he approaches the light his eyes will be dazzled, and he will not be able to see anything at all of what are now called realities.

Not all in a moment, he said.

He will require to grow accustomed to the sight of the upper world. And first he will see the shadows best, next the reflections of men and other objects in the water, and then the objects themselves; then he will gaze upon the light of the moon and the stars and the spangled heaven; and he will see the sky and the stars by night better than the sun or the light of the sun by day?

Certainly.

Last of all he will be able to see the sun, and not mere reflections of him in the water, but he will see him in his own proper place, and not in another; and he will contemplate him as he is.

Certainly.

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He will then proceed to argue that this is he who gives the season and the years, and is the guardian of all that is in the visible world, and in a certain way the cause of all things which he and his fellows have been accustomed to behold?

Clearly, he said, he would first see the sun and then reason about him.

And when he remembered his old habitation, and the wisdom of the den and his fellow-prisoners, do you not suppose that he would felicitate himself on the change, and pity them?

Certainly, he would.

And if they were in the habit of conferring honors among themselves on those who were quickest to observe the passing shadows and to remark which of them went before, and which followed after, and which were together; and who were therefore best able to draw conclusions as to the future, do you think that he would care for such honors and glories, or envy the possessors of them? Would he not say with Homer,

Better to be the poor servant of a poor master, and to endure anything, rather than think as they do and live after their manner? (1)

Yes, he said, I think that he would rather suffer anything than entertain these false notions and live in this miserable manner.

Imagine once more, I said, such a one coming suddenly out of the sun to be replaced in his old situation; would he not be certain to have his eyes full of darkness?

To be sure, he said.

And if there were a contest, and he had to compete in measuring the shadows with the prisoners who had never moved out of the den, while his sight was still weak, and before his eyes had become steady (and the time which would be needed to acquire this new habit of sight might be very considerable), would he not be ridiculous? Men would say of him that up he went and down he came without his eyes; (2) and that it was better not even to think of ascending; and if any one tried to loose another and lead him up to the light, let them only catch the offender, and they would put him to death. (3)

No question, he said.

This entire allegory, I said, you may now append, dear Glaucon, to the previous argument; the prison-house is the world of sight, the light of the fire is the sun, and you will not misapprehend me if you interpret the journey upwards to be the ascent of the soul into the intellectual world according to my poor belief, which, at your desire, I have expressed--whether rightly or wrongly God knows. But whether true or false, my opinion is that in the world of knowledge the idea of good appears last of all, and is seen only with an effort; and, when seen, is also inferred to be the universal author of all things beautiful and right, parent of light and of the lord of light in this visible world, Here Plato describes his notion of God in a way that was influence profoundly Christian theologians. and the immediate source of reason and truth in the intellectual; and that this is the power upon which he would act rationally either in public or private life must have his eye fixed.

I agree, he said, as far as I am able to understand you.

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Moreover, I said, you must not wonder that those who attain to this beatific vision are unwilling to descend to human affairs; for their souls are ever hastening into the upper world where they desire to dwell; which desire of theirs is very natural, if our allegory may be trusted.

Yes, very natural.

And is there anything surprising in one who passes from divine contemplations to the evil state of man, misbehaving himself in a ridiculous manner; if, while his eyes are blinking and before he has become accustomed to the surrounding darkness, he is compelled to fight in courts of law, or in other places, about the images or the shadows of images of justice, and is endeavoring to meet the conception of those who have never yet seen absolute justice?

Anything but surprising, he replied.

Any one who has common sense will remember that the bewilderments of the eyes are of two kinds, and arise from two causes, either from coming out of the light or from going into the light, which is true of the mind's eye; and he who remembers this when he sees any one whose vision is perplexed and weak, will not be too ready to laugh; he will first ask whether that soul of man has come out of the brighter life, and is unable to see because unaccustomed to the dark, or having turned from darkness to the day is dazzled by excess of light.

And he will count the one happy in his condition and state of being, and he will pity the other; or, if he have a mind to laugh at the soul which comes from below into the light, there will be more reason in this than in the laugh which greets him who returns from above out of the light into the den.

That, he said, is a very just distinction.

But then, if I am right, certain professors of education must be wrong when they say that they can put a knowledge into the soul which was not there before, like sight into blind eyes.

They undoubtedly say this, he replied.

Whereas our argument shows that the power and capacity of learning exists in the soul already; and that just as the eye was unable to turn from darkness to light without the whole body, so too the instrument of knowledge can only by the movement of the whole soul be turned from the world of becoming into that of being, and learn by degrees to endure the sight of being and of the brightest and best of being, or in other words, of the good.

Translated by Benjamin Jowett

(1) This refers to a famous passage in Homer's Odyssey in which the ghost of the great hero Achilles, when asked if he is not proud of the fame his deeds has spread throughout the world, answers that he would rather be a slave on a worn-out farm than king over all of the famous dead. Interestingly, Plato quotes the same passage elsewhere as disapprovingly as depicting life after death in such a negative manner that it may undermine the willingness of soldiers to die in war.

(2) The comic playwright Aristophanes had mocked Socrates by portraying Plato's master, Socrates, as a foolish intellectual with his head in the clouds.

(3) Plato undoubtedly has in mind the fact that the Athenians had condemned to death his master Socrates, who Plato considered supremely enlightened.

John Locke

Two Treaties of Government

CHAP. II.

Of the State of Nature.

Sec. 4. T

O understand political power right, and derive it from its original, we must consider, what state all men are naturally in, and that is, a state of perfect freedom to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and persons, as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of nature, without asking leave, or depending upon the will of any other man.

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A state also of equality, wherein all the power and jurisdiction is reciprocal, no one having more than another; there being nothing more evident, than that creatures of the same species and rank, promiscuously born to all the same advantages of nature, and the use of the same faculties, should also be equal one amongst another without subordination or subjection, unless the lord and master of them all should, by any manifest declaration of his will, set one above another, and confer on him, by an evident and clear appointment, an undoubted right to dominion and sovereignty.

Sec. 5. This equality of men by nature, the judicious Hooker looks upon as so evident in itself, and beyond all question, that he makes it the foundation of that obligation to mutual love amongst men, on which he builds the duties they owe one another, and from whence he derives the great maxims of justice and charity. His words are,

"The like natural inducement hath brought men to know that it is no less their duty, to love others than themselves; for seeing those things which are equal, must needs all have one measure; if I cannot but wish to receive good, even as much at every man's hands, as any man can wish unto his own soul, how should I look to have any part of my desire herein satisfied, unless myself be careful to satisfy the like desire, which is undoubtedly in other men, being of one and the same nature? To have any thing offered them repugnant to this desire, must needs in all respects grieve them as much as me; so that if I do harm, I must look to suffer, there being no reason that others should shew greater measure of love to me, than they have by me shewed unto them: my desire therefore to be loved of my equals in nature as much as possible may be, imposeth upon me a natural duty of bearing to them-ward fully the like affection; from which relation of equality between ourselves and them that are as ourselves, what several rules and canons natural reason hath drawn, for direction of life, no man is ignorant, Eccl. Pol. Lib. 1."

Sec. 6. But though this be a state of liberty, yet it is not a state of licence: though man in that state have an uncontroulable liberty to dispose of his person or possessions, yet he has not liberty to destroy himself, or so much as any creature in his possession, but where some nobler use than its bare preservation calls for it. The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one: and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind, who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions: for men being all the workmanship of one omnipotent, and infinitely wise maker; all the servants of one sovereign master, sent into the world by his order, and about his business; they are his property, whose workmanship they are, made to last during his, not one another's pleasure: and being furnished with like faculties, sharing all in one community of nature, there cannot be supposed any such subordination among us, that may authorize us to destroy one another, as if we were made for one another's uses, as the inferior ranks of creatures are for our's. Every one, as he is bound to preserve himself, and not to quit his station wilfully, so by the like reason, when his own preservation comes not in competition, ought he, as much as he can, to preserve the rest of mankind, and may not, unless it be to do justice on an offender, take

away, or impair the life, or what tends to the preservation of the life, the liberty, health, limb, or goods of another.

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Sec. 7. And that all men may be restrained from invading others rights, and from doing hurt to one another, and the law of nature be observed, which willeth the peace and preservation of all mankind, the execution of the law of nature is, in that state, put into every man's hands, whereby every one has a right to punish the transgressors of that law to such a degree, as may hinder its violation: for the law of nature would, as all other laws that concern men in this world 'be in vain, if there were no body that in the state of nature had a power to execute that law, and thereby preserve the innocent and restrain offenders. And if any one in the state of nature may punish another for any evil he has done, every one may do so: for in that state of perfect equality, where naturally there is no superiority or jurisdiction of one over another, what any may do in prosecution of that law, every one must needs have a right to do.

Sec. 8. And thus, in the state of nature, one man comes by a power over another; but yet no absolute or arbitrary power, to use a criminal, when he has got him in his hands, according to the passionate heats, or boundless extravagancy of his own will; but only to retribute to him, so far as calm reason and conscience dictate, what is proportionate to his transgression, which is so much as may serve for reparation and restraint: for these two are the only reasons, why one man may lawfully do harm to another, which is that we call punishment. In transgressing the law of nature, the offender declares himself to live by another rule than that of reason and common equity, which is that measure God has set to the actions of men, for their mutual security; and so he becomes dangerous to mankind, the tye, which is to secure them from injury and violence, being slighted and broken by him. Which being a trespass against the whole species, and the peace and safety of it, provided for by the law of nature, every man upon this score, by the right he hath to preserve mankind in general, may restrain, or where it is necessary, destroy things noxious to them, and so may bring such evil on any one, who hath transgressed that law, as may make him repent the doing of it, and thereby deter him, and by his example others, from doing the like mischief. And in the case, and upon this ground, EVERY MAN

HATH A RIGHT TO PUNISH THE OFFENDER, AND BE EXECUTIONER OF THE LAW OF NATURE

.

Sec. 9. I doubt not but this will seem a very strange doctrine to some men: but before they condemn it, I desire them to resolve me, by what right any prince or state can put to death, or punish an alien, for any crime he commits in their country. It is certain their laws, by virtue of any sanction they receive from the promulgated will of the legislative, reach not a stranger: they speak not to him, nor, if they did, is he bound to hearken to them. The legislative authority, by which they are in force over the subjects of that commonwealth, hath no power over him. Those who have the supreme power of making laws in England, France or Holland, are to an

Indian, but like the rest of the world, men without authority: and therefore, if by the law of nature every man hath not a power to punish offences against it, as he soberly judges the case to require, I see not how the magistrates of any community can punish an alien of another country; since, in reference to him, they can have no more power than what every man naturally may have over another.

Sec. 10. Besides the crime which consists in violating the law, and varying from the right rule of reason, whereby a man so far becomes degenerate, and declares himself to quit the principles of human nature, and to be a noxious creature, there is commonly injury done to some person or other, and some other man receives damage by his transgression: in which case he who hath received any damage, has, besides the right of punishment common to him with other men, a particular right to seek reparation from him that has done it: and any other person, who finds it just, may also join with him that is injured, and assist him in recovering from the offender so much as may make satisfaction for the harm he has suffered.

Sec. 11. From these two distinct rights, the one of punishing the crime for restraint, and preventing the like offence, which right of punishing is in every body; the other of taking reparation, which belongs only to the injured party, comes it to pass that the magistrate, who by being magistrate hath the common right of punishing put into his hands, can often, where the public good demands not the execution of the law, remit the

41 punishment of criminal offences by his own authority, but yet cannot remit the satisfaction due to any private man for the damage he has received. That, he who has suffered the damage has a right to demand in his own name, and he alone can remit: the damnified person has this power of appropriating to himself the goods or service of the offender, by right of self-preservation, as every man has a power to punish the crime, to prevent its being committed again, by the right he has of preserving all mankind, and doing all reasonable things he can in order to that end: and thus it is, that every man, in the state of nature, has a power to kill a murderer, both to deter others from doing the like injury, which no reparation can compensate, by the example of the punishment that attends it from every body, and also to secure men from the attempts of a criminal, who having renounced reason, the common rule and measure God hath given to mankind, hath, by the unjust violence and slaughter he hath committed upon one, declared war against all mankind, and therefore may be destroyed as a lion or a tyger, one of those wild savage beasts, with whom men can have no society nor security: and upon this is grounded that great law of nature, Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed. And Cain was so fully convinced, that every one had a right to destroy such a criminal, that after the murder of his brother, he cries out, Every one that findeth me, shall slay me; so plain was it writ in the hearts of all mankind.

Sec. 12. By the same reason may a man in the state of nature punish the lesser breaches of that law. It will perhaps be demanded, with death? I answer, each transgression may be punished to that degree, and with so much severity, as will suffice to make it an ill bargain to the offender, give him cause to repent, and terrify others from doing the like. Every offence, that can be committed in the state of nature, may in the state of nature be also punished equally, and as far forth as it may, in a commonwealth: for though it would be besides my present purpose, to enter here into the particulars of the law of nature, or its measures of punishment; yet, it is certain there is such a law, and that too, as intelligible and plain to a rational creature, and a studier of that law, as the positive laws of commonwealths; nay, possibly plainer; as much as reason is easier to be understood, than the fancies and intricate contrivances of men, following contrary and hidden interests put into words; for so truly are a great part of the municipal laws of countries, which are only so far right, as they are founded on the law of nature, by which they are to be regulated and interpreted.

Sec. 13. To this strange doctrine, viz. That in the state of nature every one has the executive power of the law of nature, I doubt not but it will be objected, that it is unreasonable for men to be judges in their own cases, that selflove will make men partial to themselves and their friends: and on the other side, that ill nature, passion and revenge will carry them too far in punishing others; and hence nothing but confusion and disorder will follow, and that therefore God hath certainly appointed government to restrain the partiality and violence of men. I easily grant, that civil government is the proper remedy for the inconveniencies of the state of nature, which must certainly be great, where men may be judges in their own case, since it is easy to be imagined, that he who was so unjust as to do his brother an injury, will scarce be so just as to condemn himself for it: but I shall desire those who make this objection, to remember, that absolute monarchs are but men; and if government is to be the remedy of those evils, which necessarily follow from men's being judges in their own cases, and the state of nature is therefore not to be endured, I desire to know what kind of government that is, and how much better it is than the state of nature, where one man, commanding a multitude, has the liberty to be judge in his own case, and may do to all his subjects whatever he pleases, without the least liberty to any one to question or controul those who execute his pleasure and in whatsoever he doth, whether led by reason, mistake or passion, must be submitted to. Much better it is in the state of nature, wherein men are not bound to submit to the unjust will of another. And if he that judges, judges amiss in his own, or any other case, he is answerable for it to the rest of mankind.

Sec. 14. It is often asked as a mighty objection, where are, or ever were there any men in such a state of nature? To which it may suffice as an answer at present, that since all princes and rulers of independent governments all through the world, are in a state of nature, it is plain the world never was, nor ever will be, without numbers of men in that state. I have named all governors of independent communities, whether they are, or are not, in league with others: for it is not every compact that puts an end to the state of nature between

42 men, but only this one of agreeing together mutually to enter into one community, and make one body politic; other promises, and compacts, men may make one with another, and yet still be in the state of nature. The promises and bargains for truck, &c. between the two men in the desert island, mentioned by Garcilasso de la

Vega, in his history of Peru; or between a Swiss and an Indian, in the woods of America, are binding to them, though they are perfectly in a state of nature, in reference to one another: for truth and keeping of faith belongs to men, as men, and not as members of society.

Sec. 15. To those that say, there were never any men in the state of nature, I will not only oppose the authority of the judicious Hooker, Eccl. Pol. lib. i. sect. 10, where he says, The laws which have been hitherto mentioned, i.e. the laws of nature, do bind men absolutely, even as they are men, although they have never any settled fellowship, never any solemn agreement amongst themselves what to do, or not to do: but forasmuch as we are not by ourselves sufficient to furnish ourselves with competent store of things, needful for such a life as our nature doth desire, a life fit for the dignity of man; therefore to supply those defects and imperfections which are in us, as living single and solely by ourselves, we are naturally induced to seek communion and fellowship with others: this was the cause of men's uniting themselves at first in politic societies. But I moreover affirm, that all men are naturally in that state, and remain so, till by their own consents they make themselves members of some politic society; and I doubt not in the sequel of this discourse, to make it very clear.

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John Locke- Two Treaties Chapter Two: Of the State of Nature

1. Locke begins with an assertion about each person's freedom in the state of nature. To what is freedom contrasted in Locke's characterization? (In other words, what two sorts of obstacle to freedom does Locke mention here?)

2. How is Locke's account of equality connected to his account of liberty in the state of nature? (His remarks of the "master of them all", i.e., all men, is a reference to God. His first treatise on government is an attack on the divine right of kings to rule, showing that there is not an undoubted appointment by God to any man in his day to rule others.)

3. What is the distinction between liberty and license?

4. In Section 6, Locke makes several interesting claims about the laws of nature, reason, God, property, and justice. What sorts of things do humans NOT have license to do? How do these restrictions relate to man's liberty? What role does God play in this discussion?

5. What objective or objectives makes it permissible in the state of nature to injure another person?

6. Regarding the laws of nature, what rights do persons have? Which persons have this right? What is the extent of this right? In other words, how far may person go in acting on this right?

7. Notice that Locke thinks the requirements of laws of nature are easier to understand or know than are the requirements of civil or municipal law. What do you suppose Locke has in mind?

Why is it harder to understand man-made (or what is sometimes called, "positive") laws?

8. In Section 13, Locke broaches for the first time in the assigned reading the possible justification for civil government. What is the role of government and what makes it necessary? Also in this section, Locke indicates a problem with the kind of sovereign Hobbes tried to show was justified. What is Locke's gripe? How do you suppose Hobbes might reply?

9. Why are princes and rulers of free states considered to remain in the state of nature? Can there be alliances between persons or between free states that leave them in a state of nature?

10. Notice in Hobbes' citation of Hooker in Section 15, which Hobbes endorses, that there is an explanation of why persons will enter civil government. This plays a significant role later in

Locke's justification of property. What leads persons to choose civil government? (You might want to think how this is related to the answer to question 8.)

11. What appears to be the necessary condition for leaving the state of nature according to Locke at the very end of Section 15?

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AntiFederalist No. 84

On the lack of a bill of rights

By "BRUTUS"

When a building is to be erected which is intended to stand for ages, the foundation should be firmly laid. The

Constitution proposed to your acceptance is designed, not for yourselves alone, but for generations yet unborn. The principles, therefore, upon which the social compact is founded, ought to have been clearly and precisely stated, and the most express and full declaration of rights to have been made. But on this subject there is almost an entire silence.

If we may collect the sentiments of the people of America, from their own most solemn declarations, they hold this truth as self-evident, that all men are by nature free. No one man, therefore, or any class of men, have a right, by the law of nature, or of God, to assume or exercise authority over their fellows. The origin of society, then, is to be sought, not in any natural right which one man has to exercise authority over another, but in the united consent of those who associate.

The mutual wants of men at first dictated the propriety of forming societies: and when they were established, protection and defense pointed out the necessity of instituting government. In a state of nature every individual pursues his own interest; in this pursuit it frequently happened, that the possessions or enjoyments of one were sacrificed to the views and designs of another; thus the weak were a prey to the strong, the simple and unwary were subject to impositions from those who were more crafty and designing. In this state of things, every individual was insecure; common interest, therefore, directed that government should be established, in which the force of the whole community should be collected, and under such directions, as to protect and defend every one who composed it. The common good, therefore, is the end of civil government, and common consent, the foundation on which it is established. To effect this end, it was necessary that a certain portion of natural liberty should be surrendered, in order that what remained should be preserved. How great a proportion of natural freedom is necessary to be yielded by individuals, when they submit to government, I shall not inquire. So much, however, must be given, as will be sufficient to enable those to whom the administration of the government is committed, to establish laws for the promoting the happiness of the community, and to carry those laws into effect. But it is not necessary, for this purpose, that individuals should relinquish all their natural rights. Some are of such a nature that they cannot be surrendered. Of this kind are the rights of conscience, the right of enjoying and defending life, etc. Others are not necessary to be resigned in order to attain the end for which government is instituted; these therefore ought not to be given up. To surrender them, would counteract the very end of government, to wit, the common good. From these observations it appears, that in forming a government on its true principles, the foundation should be laid in the manner I before stated, by expressly reserving to the people such of their essential rights as are not necessary to be parted with. The same reasons which at first induced mankind to associate and institute government, will operate to influence them to observe this precaution. If they had been disposed to conform themselves to the rule of immutable righteousness, government would not have been requisite. It was because one part exercised fraud, oppression and violence, on the other, that men came together, and agreed that certain rules should be formed to regulate the conduct of all, and the power of the whole community lodged in the hands of rulers to enforce an obedience to them. But rulers have the same propensities as other men; they are as likely to use the power with which they are vested, for private purposes, and to the injury and oppression of those over whom they are placed, as individuals in a state of nature are to injure and oppress one another. It is therefore as proper that bounds should be set to their authority, as that government should have at first been instituted to restrain private injuries.

This principle, which seems so evidently founded in the reason and nature of things, is confirmed by universal experience. Those who have governed, have been found in all ages ever active to enlarge their powers and abridge the public liberty. This has induced the people in all countries, where any sense of freedom remained, to fix barriers against the encroachments of their rulers. The country from which we have derived our origin, is an eminent example of this.

Their magna charta and bill of rights have long been the boast, as well as the security of that nation. I need say no more,

I presume, to an American, than that this principle is a fundamental one, in all the Constitutions of our own States; there is not one of them but what is either founded on a declaration or bill of rights, or has certain express reservation of rights interwoven in the body of them. From this it appears, that at a time when the pulse of liberty beat high, and when an appeal was made to the people to form Constitutions for the government of themselves, it was their universal sense, that such declarations should make a part of their frames of government. It is, therefore, the more astonishing, that this grand security to the rights of the people is not to be found in this Constitution.

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It has been said, in answer to this objection, that such declarations of rights, however requisite they might be in the

Constitutions of the States, are not necessary in the general Constitution, because, "in the former case, every thing which is not reserved is given; but in the latter, the reverse of the proposition prevails, and every thing which is not given is reserved." It requires but little attention to discover, that this mode of reasoning is rather specious than solid.

The powers, rights and authority, granted to the general government by this Constitution, are as complete, with respect to every object to which they extend, as that of any State government-it reaches to every thing which concerns human happiness-life, liberty, and property are under its control. There is the same reason, therefore, that the exercise of power, in this case, should be restrained within proper limits, as in that of the State governments. To set this matter in a clear light, permit me to instance some of the articles of the bills of rights of the individual States, and apply them to the case in question.

For the security of life, in criminal prosecutions, the bills of rights of most of the States have declared, that no man shall be held to answer for a crime until he is made fully acquainted with the charge brought against him; he shall not be compelled to accuse, or furnish evidence against himself-the witnesses against him shall be brought face to face, and he shall be fully heard by himself or counsel. That it is essential to the security of life and liberty, that trial of facts be in the vicinity where they happen. Are not provisions of this kind as necessary in the general government, as in that of a particular State? The powers vested in the new Congress extend in many cases to life; they are authorized to provide for the punishment of a variety of capital crimes, and no restraint is laid upon them in its exercise, save only, that "the trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury; and such trial shall be in the State where the said crimes shall have been committed." No man is secure of a trial in the county where he is charged to have committed a crime; he may be brought from Niagara to New York, or carried from Kentucky to Richmond for trial for an offense supposed to be committed. What security is there, that a man shall be furnished with a full and plain description of the charges against him? That he shall be allowed to produce all proof he can in his favor? That he shall see the witnesses against him face to face, or that he shall be fully heard in his own defense by himself or counsel?

For the security of liberty it has been declared, "that excessive bail should not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel or unusual punishments inflicted. That all warrants, without oath or affirmation, to search suspected places, or seize any person, his papers or property, are grievous and oppressive."

These provisions are as necessary under the general government as under that of the individual States; for the power of the former is as complete to the purpose of requiring bail, imposing fines, inflicting punishments, granting search warrants, and seizing persons, papers, or property, in certain cases, as the other.

For the purpose of securing the property of the citizens, it is declared by all the States, "that in all controversies at law, respecting property, the ancient mode of trial by jury is one of the best securities of the rights of the people, and ought to remain sacred and inviolable."

Does not the same necessity exist of reserving this right under their national compact, as in that of the States? Yet nothing is said respecting it. In the bills of rights of the States it is declared, that a well regulated militia is the proper and natural defense of a free government; that as standing armies in time of peace are dangerous, they are not to be kept up, and that the military should be kept under strict subordination to, and controlled by, the civil power.

The same security is as necessary in this Constitution, and much more so; for the general government will have the sole power to raise and to pay armies, and are under no control in the exercise of it; yet nothing of this is to be found in this new system.

I might proceed to instance a number of other rights, which were as necessary to be reserved, such as, that elections should be free, that the liberty of the press should be held sacred; but the instances adduced are sufficient to prove that this argument is without foundation. Besides, it is evident that the reason here assigned was not the true one, why the framers of this Constitution omitted a bill of rights; if it had been, they would not have made certain reservations, while they totally omitted others of more importance. We find they have, in the ninth section of the first article declared, that the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless in cases of rebellion,-that no bill of attainder, or ex post facto law, shall be passed,-that no title of nobility shall be granted by the United States, etc. If every thing which is not given is reserved, what propriety is there in these exceptions? Does this Constitution any where grant the power of suspending the habeas corpus, to make ex post facto laws, pass bills of attainder, or grant titles of nobility? It certainly does not in

express terms. The only answer that can be given is, that these are implied in the general powers granted. With equal truth it may be said, that all the powers which the bills of rights guard against the abuse of, are contained or implied in the general ones granted by this Constitution.

46

So far is it from being true, that a bill of rights is less necessary in the general Constitution than in those of the States, the contrary is evidently the fact. This system, if it is possible for the people of America to accede to it, will be an original compact; and being the last wilt, in the nature of things, vacate every former agreement inconsistent with it. For it being a plan of government received and ratified by the whole people, all other forms which are in existence at the time of its adoption, must yield to it. This is expressed in positive and unequivocal terms in the sixth article: "That this

Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every

State shall be bound thereby, any thing in the Constitution, or laws of any State, to the contrary notwithstanding."

"The senators and representatives before-mentioned, and the members of the several State legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States, and of the several States, shall be bound, by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution."

It is therefore not only necessarily implied thereby, but positively expressed, that the different State Constitutions are repealed and entirely done away, so far as they are inconsistent with this, with the laws which shall be made in pursuance thereof, or with treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States. Of what avail will the Constitutions of the respective States be to preserve the rights of its citizens? Should they be pled, the answer would be, the Constitution of the United States, and the laws made in pursuance thereof, is the supreme law, and all legislatures and judicial officers, whether of the General or State governments, are bound by oath to support it. No privilege, reserved by the bills of rights, or secured by the State governments, can limit the power granted by this, or restrain any laws made in pursuance of it. It stands, therefore, on its own bottom, and must receive a construction by itself, without any reference to any other. And hence it was of the highest importance, that the most precise and express declarations and reservations of rights should have been made.

This will appear the more necessary, when it is considered, that not only the Constitution and laws made in pursuance thereof, but alt treaties made, under the authority of the United States, are the supreme law of the land, and supersede the Constitutions of all the States. The power to make treaties, is vested in the president, by and with the advice and consent of two-thirds of the senate. I do not find any limitation or restriction to the exercise of this power. The most important article in any Constitution may therefore be repealed, even without a legislative act. Ought not a government, vested with such extensive and indefinite authority, to have been restricted by a declaration of rights? It certainly ought.

So clear a point is this, that I cannot help suspecting that persons who attempt to persuade people that such reservations were less necessary under this Constitution than under those of the States, are wilfully endeavoring to deceive, and to lead you into an absolute state of vassalage.

BRUTUS

AntiFederalist No. 84

On the lack of a bill of rights

According to the author “Brutus” why is there a reason to debate the inclusion of a bill of rights?

According to “Brutus” what is the purpose of government when dealing with natural rights?

What evidence is given that a government without a bill of rights will exploit its citizens?

According to Brutus what important protections were omitted from the Constitution?

What are the problems with State Constitutions in regards to the Federal Government?

47

Federalist No. 51 – James Madison (Reading in Wilson Text)

1. What is the general theme of this paper? Why is this theme important, according to the author?

2. What are the four elements of the separation of powers? a) “each department should have a will of its own b) the members of each should have as little agency as possible in the appointment of the members of the others c) each department should be as little dependent as possible on those of the others for the emoluments annexed to their offices d) each department [should have] the necessary constitutional means and personal motives to resist encroachments of the others

3. What does Madison mean by the statement, “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition”?

4. Is government (and its form) merely “the greatest of all reflections on human nature”? How so or why not?

5. What is the “great difficulty” with government? Why?

6. What does the author mean when he asserts that “the defect of better motives, might be traced through the whole system of human affairs, private as well as public”?

7. What checks are placed by the Constitution on the legislative branch?

8. According to the author’s first of two “considerations,” how is the federal government divided into “two distinct governments” and into “distinct and separate departments”?

9. According to the author’s second of two “considerations,” how do you protect the people from another? (cf.

Federalist No. 10; faction)

10. Is it true that “Justice is the end (i.e., goal or purpose) of government? It is the end of civil society”?

11. Do you agree with the author that “In the extended republic of the United States, and among the great variety of interests, parties, and sects which it embraces, a coalition of a majority of the whole society could seldom take place on any other principles than those of justice and the general good”?

12. How does a federal principle enable the people inhabiting a republic to engage in self-government?

48

Federalist Number 10 By James Madison (In Wilson Text)

1.

What is a faction? Why are factions a problem in government?

2. What are the two methods for curing the mischiefs of faction?

What are the two methods for removing the causes of faction?

3. What does Madison argue that the causes of faction cannot be removed?

4. Why does pure democracy have no cure for the mischiefs of faction?

Is Madison arguing against a system of majority rule? Why or why not?

5. To what extent will enlightened leadership solve the problems of factions? Why does Madison more trust in the leaders than the people?

6. Why does a republic do a better job of controlling the effects of faction than a pure democracy? Why does a large republic do a better job of controlling the effects of faction than a small republic?

Charles A. Beard

Excerpted from Charles Beard's "Framing the Constitution," in Peter Woll, ed., American Government: Readings and

Cases, 11th ed. (New York: Harper Collins, 1993)

49

In the following essay, which is adapted from The Supreme Court and the Constitution (1912), Charles Beard presents evidence that the framers of the Constitution were less interested in furthering democratic principles than in protecting private property and the interests of the wealthy class. Since this work was written over eighty years ago, there are a few anachronisms you may want to keep in mind. First, when Beard speaks of the "Confederacy," he is referring to the government that existed under the Articles of Confederation -- not to the Confederate states that seceded from the Union during the Civil War. Also, it is important to remember that the Senate was still not elected by popular vote when Beard was writing -- although that was changed in 1913 by the Seventeenth Amendment. Finally, when Beard speaks of

"republican" or "democratic" tendencies, he is not referring to the Republican or Democratic parties, but is instead using the words in their more generic sense.

...The reason and spirit of a law are to be understood only by an inquiry into the circumstances of its enactment. The underlying purposes of the Constitution, therefore, are to be revealed only by a study of the conditions and events which led to formation and adoption.

At the outset it must be remembered that there were two great parties at the time of the adoption of the Constitution -- one laying emphasis on strength and efficiency in government and the other on its popular aspects. Quite naturally the men who led in stirring up the revolt against Great Britain and in keeping the fighting temper of the Revolutionaries at the proper heat were the boldest and most radical thinkers -- men like Samuel Adams, Thomas Paine, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson.

They were not, generally speaking, men of large property interests or of much practical business experience. In a time of disorder, they could consistently lay more stress upon personal liberty than upon social control; and they pushed to the extreme limits those doctrines of individual rights which had been evolved in England during the struggles of the small landed proprietors and commercial classes against royal prerogative, and which corresponded to the economic conditions prevailing in America at the close of the eighteenth century. They associated strong government with monarchy, and came to believe that the best political system was one which governed least. A majority of the radicals viewed all government, especially if highly centralized, as a species of evil, tolerable only because necessary and always to be kept down to an irreducible minimum by a jealous vigilance.

Jefferson put the doctrine in concrete form when he declared that he preferred newspapers without government to government without newspapers. The Declaration of Independence, the first state Constitutions, and the Articles of

Confederation bore the impress of this philosophy. In their anxiety to defend the individual against all federal interference and to preserve to the states a large sphere of local autonomy, these Revolutionists had set up a system too weak to accomplish the accepted objects of government; namely, national defense, the protection of property, and the advancement of commerce. They were not unaware of the character of their handiwork, but they believed with Jefferson that "man was a rational animal endowed by nature with rights and with an innate sense of justice and that he could be restrained from wrong and protected in right by moderate powers confided to persons of his own choice." Occasional riots and disorders, they held, were preferable to too much government.

The new American political system based on these doctrines had scarcely gone into effect before it began to incur opposition from many sources. The close of the Revolutionary struggle removed the prime cause for radical agitation and brought a new group of thinkers into prominence. When independence had been gained, the practical work to be done was the maintenance of social order, the payment of the public debt, the provision of a sound financial system, and the establishment of conditions favorable to the development of the economic resources of the new country. The men who were principally concerned in this work of peaceful enterprise were not the philosophers, but men of business and property and the holders of public securities. For the most part, they had had no quarrel with the system of class rule and the strong centralization of government which had existed in England. It was on the question of policy, not of governmental structure, that they had broken with the British authorities. By no means all of them, in fact, had even resisted the policy of the mother country, for within the ranks of the conservatives were large numbers of Loyalists who had remained in America, and, as was to have been expected, cherished a bitter feeling against the Revolutionists,

50 especially the radical section which had been boldest in denouncing the English system root and branch. In other words, after the heat and excitement of the War of Independence were over and the new government, state and national, was tested by the ordinary experiences of traders, financiers, and manufacturers, it was found inadequate, and these groups accordingly grew more and more determined to reconstruct the political system in such a fashion as to make it subserve their permanent interests.

Under the state constitutions and the Articles of Confederation established during the Revolution, every powerful economic class in the nation suffered either immediate losses or from impediments placed in the way of the development of their enterprises. The holders of the securities of the [government established by the Articles of

Confederation] did not receive the interest on their loans. Those who owned Western lands or looked with longing eyes upon the rich opportunities for speculation there chaffed at the weakness of the government and its delays in establishing order on the frontiers. Traders and commercial men found their plans for commerce on a national scale impeded by local interference with interstate commerce. The currency of the states and the nation was hopelessly muddled. Creditors everywhere were angry about the depreciated paper money which the agrarians had made and were attempting to force upon those from whom they had borrowed specie. In short, it was a war between business and populism. Under the Articles of Confederation, populism had a free hand, for majorities in the state legislatures were omnipotent. Anyone who reads the economic history of the time will see why the solid conservative interests of the country were weary of talk about the "rights of the people" and bent upon establishing firm guarantees for the rights of property.

The Congress of the Confederation was not long in discovering the true character of the futile authority which the

Articles had conferred upon it. The necessity for new sources of revenue became apparent even while the struggle for independence was yet undecided, and, in 1871, Congress carried a resolution to the effect that it should be authorized to lay a duty of five percent on certain goods. This moderate proposition was defeated because Rhode Island rejected it on the grounds that "she regarded it the most precious jewel of sovereignty that no state shall be called upon to open its purse but by the authority of the state and by her own officers." Two years later, Congress prepared another amendment to the Articles providing for certain import duties, the receipts from which, collected by state officers, were to be applied to the payment of the public debt; but three years after the introduction of the measure, four states, including

New York, still held out against its ratification, and the project was allowed to drop. At last, in 1786, Congress in a resolution declared that the requisitions for the last eight years had been so irregular in their operation, so uncertain in their collection, and so evidently unproductive that a reliance on them in the future would be no less dishonorable to the understandings of those who entertained it than it would be dangerous to the welfare and peace of the Union. Congress, thereupon, solemnly added that it had become its duty "to declare most explicitly that the crisis had arrived when the people of the United States, by whose will and for whose benefit the federal government was instituted, must decide whether they will support their rank as a nation by maintaining the public faith at home and abroad, or rather for the want of a timely exertion in establishing a general review and thereby giving strength to the Confederacy, they will hazard not only the existence of the Union but those great and invaluable privileges for which they have so arduously and so honorably contended."

In fact, the Articles of Confederation had hardly gone into effect before the leading citizens also began to feel that the powers of Congress were wholly inadequate. In 1780, even before their adoption, Alexander Hamilton proposed a general convention to frame a new constitution, and from that time forward he labored with remarkable zeal and wisdom to extend and popularize the idea of a strong national government. Two years later, the Assembly of the State of

New York recommended a convention to revise the Articles and increase the power of the Congress. In 1783,

Washington, in a circular letter to the governors, urged that it was indispensable to the happiness of the individual states that there should be lodged somewhere a supreme power to regulate and govern the general concerns of the confederation. Shortly afterward (1785), Governor Bowdoin, of Massachusetts, suggested to his state legislature the advisability of calling a national assembly to settle upon and define the powers of Congress; and the legislature resolved that the government under the Articles of Confederation was inadequate and should be reformed; but the resolution was never laid before Congress.

In January, 1786, Virginia invited all the other states to send delegates to a convention at Annapolis to consider the question of duties on imports and the commerce in general. When this convention assembled in 1786, delegates from only five states were present, and they were disheartened at the limitations on their powers and the lack of interest the other states had shown in the project. With characteristic foresight, however, Alexander Hamilton seized the occasion to

51 secure the adoption of a recommendation advising the states to choose representatives for another convention to meet in

Philadelphia the following year "to consider the Articles of Confederation and to propose such changes therein as might render them adequate to the exigencies of the union." This recommendation was cautiously worded, for Hamilton did not want to raise any unnecessary alarm. He doubtless believed that a complete revolution in the old system was desirable, but he knew that, in the existing state of popular temper, it was not expedient to announce his complete program. Accordingly, no general reconstruction of the political system was suggested; the Articles of Confederation were merely to be "revised"; and the amendments were to be approved by the state legislatures as provided by that instrument.

The proposal of the Annapolis convention was transmitted to the state legislatures and laid before Congress. Congress thereupon resolved in February, 1787, that a convention should be held for the sole and express purpose of revising the

Articles of Confederation and reporting to itself and the legislatures of the several states such alterations and provisions as would when agreed to by Congress and confirmed by the states render the federal constitution adequate to the exigencies of government and the preservation of the union.

In pursuance of this call, delegates to the new convention were chosen by the legislatures of the states or by the governors in conformity to authority conferred by the legislative assemblies. The delegates were given instructions of a general nature by their respective states, none of which, apparently, contemplated any very far-reaching changes. In fact, almost all of them expressly limited their representative to a mere revision of the Articles of Confederation. For example, Connecticut authorized her delegates to represent and confer for the purpose mentioned in the resolution of

Congress and to discuss such measures "agreeable to the general principles of Republican government" as they should think proper to render the Union adequate. Delaware, however, went so far as to provide that none of the proposed alterations should extend to the fifth part of the Articles of Confederation guaranteeing that each state should be entitled to one vote.

It was a truly remarkable assembly of men that gathered in Philadelphia on May 17, 1787, to undertake the work of reconstructing the American system of government. It is not merely patriotic pride that compels one to assert that never in the history of assemblies has there been a convention of men richer in political experience and practical knowledge, or endowed with a profounder insight into the springs of human action and the intimate essence of government. It is indeed an astounding fact that at one time so many men skilled in statecraft could be found on the very frontiers of civilization among a population numbering about four million whites. It is no less a cause for admiration that their instrument of government should have survived the trials and crises of a century that saw the wreck of more than a score of paper constitutions.[] All the members had had a practical training in politics. Washington, as commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary forces, had learned well the lessons and problems of war, and mastered successfully the no less difficult problems of administration. The two Morrises had distinguished themselves in grappling with financial questions as trying and perplexing as any which statesmen had ever been compelled to face. Seven of the delegates had gained political wisdom as governors of their native states; and no less than twenty-eight had served in Congress, either during the Revolution or under the Articles of Confederation. These were men trained in the law, versed in finance, skilled in administration, and learned in the political philosophy of their own and earlier times. Moreover, they were men destined to continue public service under the government which they had met to construct -- Presidents, Vice-

Presidents, heads of departments, Justices of the Supreme Court were in that imposing body. ...

The makers of the Constitution represented the solid, conservative, commercial and financial interests of the country -- not the interests which denounced and proscribed judges in Rhode Island, New Jersey, and North Carolina, and stoned their houses in New York. The conservative interests, made desperate by the imbecilities of the Confederation and harried by state legislatures, roused themselves from the lethargy, drew together in a mighty effort to establish a government that would be strong enough to pay the national debt, regulate interstate and foreign commerce, provide for national defense, prevent fluctuations in the currency created by paper emissions, and control the propensities of legislative majorities to attack private rights...The radicals, however, like Patrick Henry, Jefferson, and Samuel Adams, were conspicuous by their absence from the Convention.

The Convention was convened to frame a government that would meet the practical issues that had arisen under the

Articles of Confederation. The objections they entertained to direct popular government, and they were undoubtedly many, were based upon their experience with popular assemblies during the immediately preceding years. With many of the plain lessons of history before them, they naturally feared that the rights and privileges of the minority would be

52 insecure if the principle of majority rule was definitely adopted and provisions made for its exercise. Furthermore, it will be remembered that up to that time the right of all men, as men, to share in the government had never been recognized in practice. Everywhere in Europe the government was in the hands of a ruling monarch or at best a ruling class; everywhere the mass of the people had been regarded principally as an arms-bearing and tax-paying multitude, uneducated, and with little hope or capacity for advancement. Two years were to elapse after the meeting of the grave assembly at Philadelphia before the transformation of the Estates General into the National Convention in France opened the floodgates of revolutionary ideas on human rights before whose rising tide old landmarks of government are still being submerged. It is small wonder, therefore, that, under the circumstances, many members of that august body held popular government in slight esteem and took the people into consideration only as far as it was imperative "to inspire them with the necessary confidence," as Mr. Gerry [one of the framers of the Constitution] frankly put it.

Indeed, every page of the laconic record of the proceedings of the convention, preserved to posterity by Mr. Madison, shows conclusively that the members of that assembly were not seeking to realize any fine notions about democracy and equality, but were striving with all the resources of political wisdom at their command to set up a system of government that would be stable and efficient, safeguarded on the one hand against the possibilities of despotism and on the other against the onslaught of majorities. In the mind of Mr. Gerry, the evils they had experienced flowed "from the excess of democracy," and he confessed that while he was still republican, he "had been taught by experience the danger of the levelling spirit." Mr. Randolph, in offering to the consideration of the convention his plan of government, observed "that the general object was to provide a cure for the evils under which the United States labored; that, in tracing these evils to their origin, every man had found it in the turbulence and follies of democracy; that some check therefore was to be sought for against this tendency of our governments; and that a good Senate seemed most likely to answer the purpose."

Mr. Hamilton, in advocating a life term for Senators, urged that "all communities divide themselves into the few and the many. The first are the rich and well born and the other the mass of the people who seldom judge or determine right."

Governor Morris wanted to check the "precipitancy, changeableness, and excess" of the representatives of the people by the ability and virtue of men" of great and established property -- aristocracy; men who from pride will support consistency and permanency...Such an aristocratic body will keep down the turbulence of democracy." While these extreme doctrines were somewhat counterbalanced by the democratic principles of Mr. Wilson, who urged that "the government ought to possess, not only first, the force, but second, the mind or sense of the people at large," Madison doubtless summed up in a brief sentence the general opinion of the convention when he said that to secure private rights against minority factions, and at the same time to preserve the spirit and form of popular government, was the great object to which their inquiries had been directed.

They were anxious above everything else to safeguard the rights of private property against any leveling tendencies on the part of the propertyless masses. Governor Morris, in speaking on the problem of apportioning representatives, correctly stated the sound historical fact when he declared: "Life and liberty were generally said to be of more value than property. An accurate view of the matter, nevertheless, would prove that property was the main object of society...If property, then was the main object of government, certainly it ought to be one measure of the influence due to those who were to be affected by the government." Mr. King also agreed that "property was the primary object of society," and Mr. Madison warned the convention that in framing a system which they wished to last for ages they must not lose sight of the changes which the ages would produce in the forms and distribution of property. In advocating a long term in order to give independence and firmness to the Senate, he described these impending changes: "An increase in the population will of necessity increase the proportion of those who will labor under all the hardships of life and secretly sigh for a more equitable distribution of its blessings. These may in time outnumber those who are placed above the feelings of indigence. According to the equal laws of suffrage, the power will slide into the hands of the former. No agrarian attempts have yet been made in this country, but symptoms of a levelling spirit, as we have understood have sufficiently appeared, in a certain quarter, to give notice of the future danger." And again, in support of the argument for a property qualification on voters, Madison urged: "In future times, a great majority of the people will not only be without land, but without any other sort of property. These will either combine, under the influence of their common situation, -- in which case the rights of property and the public liberty will not be secure in their hands, -- or, what is more probable, they will become the tools of opulence and ambition; in which case there will be equal danger on another side." Various projects for setting up class rule by the establishment of property qualifications for voters and officers were advanced in the convention, but they were defeated....

The absence of such property qualifications is certainly not due to any belief in Jefferson's free and equal doctrine. It is

53 due rather to the fact that the members of the convention could not agree on the nature and amount of the qualifications.

Naturally, a landed qualification was suggested, but for obvious reasons it was rejected. Although it was satisfactory to the landed gentry of the South, it did not suit the financial, commercial, and manufacturing gentry of the North. If it was high, the latter would be excluded; if it was low, it would let in the populistic farmers who had already made so much trouble in the state legislatures with paper-money schemes and other devices for "relieving agriculture." One of the chief reasons for calling the convention and framing the Constitution was to promote commerce and industry and to protect personal property against the depredations of Jefferson's noble freeholders. On the other hand, a personal property qualification, high enough to please merchant princes like Robert Morris or Nathaniel Gorham would shut out Southern planters. Again, an alternative of land or personal property, high enough to afford safeguards to large interests, would doubtless bring about the rejection of the whole Constitution by the troublemaking farmers who had to pass upon the question of ratification.

Nevertheless, by the system of checks and balances placed in the government, the convention safeguarded the interests of property against attacks by majorities. The House of Representatives, Mr. Hamilton pointed out, "was so formed as to render it particularly the guardian of the poorer orders of citizens," while the Senate was to preserve the rights of property and the interests of the minority against the demands of the majority. In the tenth number of The Federalist,

Mr. Madison argued in a philosophic vein in support of the proposition that it was necessary to base the political system on the actual conditions of "natural inequality." Uniformity of interests throughout the state, he contended, was impossible on account of the diversity in the faculties of men, from which the rights of property originated; the protection of these faculties was the first object of government; from the protection of different and unequal faculties of acquiring property the possession of different degrees and kinds of property immediately resulted; from the influence of these on the sentiments and views of the respective proprietors ensued a division of society into different interests and parties; the unequal distribution of wealth inevitably led to a clash of interests in which the majority was liable to carry out its policies at the expense of the minority; hence, he added, in concluding this splendid piece of logic, "the majority, having such coexistent passion or interest, must be rendered by their number and local situation unable to concert and carry into effect schemes of oppression"; and in his opinion, it was the great merit of the newly framed Constitution that it secured the rights of the minority against "the superior force of an interested and overbearing majority."

This very system of checks and balances, which is undeniably the essential element of the Constitution, is built upon the doctrine that the popular branch of the government cannot be allowed full sway, and least of all in the enactment of laws touching the rights of property. The exclusion of the direct popular vote in the election of the President; the creation, again by indirect election, of a Senate which the framers hoped would represent the wealth and conservative interests of the country, and the establishment of an independent judiciary appointed by the President with the concurrence of the

Senate -- all these devices bear witness to the fact that the underlying purpose of the Constitution was not the establishment of popular government by means of parliamentary majorities.

Page after page of The Federalist is directed to that portion of the electorate which was disgusted with the "mutability of public councils." Writing on the presidential veto, Hamilton says: "The propensity of the legislative department to intrude upon the rights and absorb the powers of other departments has already been suggested and repeated....It may perhaps be said that the power of preventing bad laws included the power of preventing good ones; and may be used to the one purpose as well as the other. But this objection will have little weight with those who can properly estimate the mischiefs of that inconstancy and mutability in the laws which form the greater blemish in the character and genius of our governments. They will consider every institution calculated to restrain the excess of law-making and to keep things in the same state in which they happen to be at any given period, as more likely to do good than harm; because it is favorable to greater stability in the system of legislation. The injury which may possibly be done by defeating a few good laws will be amply compensated by the advantage of preventing a number of bad ones."

When the framers of the Constitution had completed the remarkable instrument which was to establish a national government capable of discharging effectively certain great functions and checking the propensities of popular legislatures to attack the rights of private property, a formidable task remained before them -- the task of securing the adoption of the new frame of government by states torn with popular dissentions. They knew very well that the state legislatures which had been so negligent in paying their quotas [of money] under the Articles of Confederation and which had been so jealous of their rights, would probably stick at ratifying such a national instrument of government.

Accordingly, they cast aside that clause in the Articles requiring amendments to be ratified by the legislatures of all of the states; and advised that the new Constitution should be ratified by conventions in the several states composed of

54 delegates chosen by the voters. It was largely because the framers of the Constitution knew the temper and class bias of the state legislatures that they arranged that the new Constitution should be ratified by conventions. They furthermore declared -- and this is an fundamental matter -- that when the conventions of nine states had ratified the Constitution the new government should go into effect so far as those states were concerned. The chief reason for resorting to ratifications by conventions is laid down by Hamilton in Federalist 22:

" It has not a little contributed to the infirmities of the existing federal system that it never had a ratification by the people. Resting on no better foundation that the consent of the several legislatures, it has been exposed to frequent and intricate questions concerning the validity of its powers; and has in some instances given birth to the enormous doctrine of a right of legislative repeal. Owing its ratification to the law of a state, it has been contended that the same authority might repeal the law by which it was ratified. However gross a heresy it may be to maintain that a party to a compact has a right to revoke that compact, the doctrine itself has respectable advocates. The possibility of a question of this nature proves the necessity of laying the foundations of our national government deeper than in the mere sanction of delegated authority. The fabric of American empire ought to rest on the solid basis of the consent of the people. The streams of national power ought to flow immediately from that pure original foundation of all legitimate authority ."

Of course, the convention did not resort to the revolutionary policy of transmitting the Constitution directly to the conventions of the several states. It merely laid the finished instrument before the Confederate Congress with the suggestion that it should be submitted to "a convention of delegates chosen in each state by the people thereof, under the recommendation of its legislature, for them assent and ratification; and each convention assenting thereto and ratifying the same should give notice thereof to the United States in Congress assembled." The convention went on to suggest that when nine states had ratified the Constitution, the Confederate Congress should extinguish itself by making provisions for the elections necessary to put the new government into effect....

After the new Constitution was published and transmitted to the states, there began a long and bitter fight over ratification. A veritable flood of pamphlet literature descended upon the country, and a collection of these pamphlets by

Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, brought together under the title of The Federalist -- though clearly a piece of campaign literature -- has remained a permanent part of the contemporary sources on the Constitution and has been regarded by many lawyers as a commentary second in value only to the decisions of the Supreme Court. Within a year the champions of the new government found themselves victorious, for on June 21, 1788, the ninth state, New Hampshire, ratified the Constitution, and accordingly the new government might go into effect as between the agreeing states.

Within a few weeks, the nationalist party in Virginia and New York succeeded in winning these two states, and in spite of the fact that North Carolina and Rhode Island had not yet ratified the Constitution, Congress determined to put the instrument into effect in accordance with the recommendations of the convention.

Charles A. Beard

Framing the Constitution

1.

Contrast the philosophy and forces behind the Articles of Confederation with those supporting the new

Constitution in 1787.

2.

What was the effect of the state constitutions and the Articles of Confederation upon the dominant economic classes?

3.

How does Beard characterize the delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

4.

What were the views of the delegates to the Convention on democracy and equality, according to Beard?

5.

Aside from describing the delegates as representatives of the propertied classes desiring to protect their interests, what other evidence does Beard present to support his thesis that the principal purpose of the

Constitution was to protect most forms of private property?

6.

Beard relies on The Federalist to support his argument that the Constitution was designed to protect the economic interest of property holders. What arguments does Beard make based on The Federalist to support his conclusion?

55

How Not To Read the Constitution

Laurence H. Tribe and Michael C. Dorf

From its very creation, the Constitution was perceived as a document that sought to strike a delicate balance between, on the one hand, governmental power to accomplish the great ends of civil society and, on the other, individual liberty.

As James Madison put it in The Federalist Papers, "[i]f men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions."

Although Madison initially opposed the inclusion of a Bill of Rights in the Constitution, as his correspondence with

Thomas Jefferson shows, he became convinced that judicially enforceable rights are among the necessary "auxiliary precautions" against tyranny.

In the Constitution of the United States, men like Madison bequeathed to subsequent generations a framework for balancing liberty against power. However, it is only a framework; it is not a blueprint. Its Eighth Amendment prohibits the infliction of "cruel and unusual punishment," but gives no examples of permissible or impermissible punishments.

Article IV requires that "[t]he United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of

Government," but attempts no definition of republican government. The Fourteenth Amendment proscribes state abridgments of the "privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States," but contains no catalogue of privileges or immunities.

How then ought we to go about the task of finding concrete commandments in the Constitution's majestically vague admonitions? If there is genuine controversy over how the Constitution should be read, certainly it cannot be because the disputants have access to different bodies of information. After all, they all have exactly the same text in front of them, and that text has exactly one history, however complex, however multifaceted. But of course different people believe different things about how that history bears on the enterprise of constitutional interpretation. . . .

Perhaps the disputants agree on what counts as "the Constitution," but simply approach the same body of textual and historical materials with different visions, different premises, and different convictions. But that assumption raises an obvious question: How are those visions, premises, and convictions relevant to how this brief text ought to be read? Is reading the text just a pretext for expressing the reader's vision in the august, almost holy terms of constitutional law? Is the Constitution simply a mirror in which one sees what one wants to see? . . .

Reading the Constitution or Writing One?

The belief that we must look beyond the specific views of the Framers to apply the Constitution to contemporary problems is not necessarily a "liberal" position. Indeed, not even the most "conservative" justices today believe in a jurisprudence of original intent that looks only to the Framers' unenacted views about particular institutions or practices.

Consider the following statement made by a Supreme Court justice in 1976:

The framers of the Constitution wisely spoke in general language and left to succeeding generations the task of applying that language to the unceasingly changing environment in which they would live. . . .

Where the framers . . . used general language, they [gave] latitude to those who would later interpret the instrument to make that language applicable to cases that the framers might not have foreseen.

The author was not Justice William Brennan or Justice Thurgood Marshall, but then-Justice William Rehnquist. Or consider the statement by Justice White, joined by Justice Rehnquist in a 1986 opinion for the Court: "As [our] prior cases clearly show, . . . this Court does not subscribe to the simplistic view that constitutional interpretation can possibly be limited to the 'plain meaning' of the Constitution's text or to the subjective intention of the Framers. The

Constitution," wrote Justice White, "is not a deed setting forth the precise metes and bounds of its subject matter; rather, it is a document announcing fundamental principles in value-laden terms that leave ample scope for the exercise of normative judgment by those charged with interpreting and applying it."

56

So the "conservatives" on the Court, no less than the "liberals," talk as though reading the Constitution requires much more than passively discovering a fixed meaning planted there generations ago. Those who wrote the document, and those who voted to ratify it, were undoubtedly projecting their wishes into an indefinite future. If writing is wishprojection, is reading merely an exercise in wishfulfillment-not fulfillment of the wishes of the authors, who couldn't have begun to foresee the way things would unfold, but fulfillment of the wishes of readers, who perhaps use the language of the Constitution simply as a mirror to dress up their own political or moral preferences in the hallowed language of our most fundamental document? Justice Joseph Story feared that that might happen when he wrote in

1845: "How easily men satisfy themselves that the Constitution is exactly what they wish it to be."

To the extent that this is so, it is indefensible. The authority of the Constitution, its claim to obedience and the force that we permit it to exercise in our law and over our lives, would lose all legitimacy if it really were only a mirror for the readers' ideals and ideas. Just as the original intent of the Framers-even if it could be captured in the laboratory, bottled, and carefully inspected under a microscope-will not yield a satisfactory determinate interpretation of the Constitution, so too at the other end of the spectrum we must also reject as completely unsatisfactory the idea of an empty, or an infinitely malleable, Constitution. We must find principles of interpretation that can anchor the Constitution in some more secure, determinate, and external reality. But that is no small task.

One basic problem is that the text itself leaves so much room for the imagination. Simply consider the preamble, which speaks of furthering such concepts as "Justice" and the "Blessings of Liberty." It is not hard, in terms of concepts that fluid and that plastic, to make a linguistically plausible argument in support of more than a few surely incorrect conclusions. Perhaps a rule could be imposed that it is improper to refer to the preamble in constitutional argument on the theory that it is only an introduction, a preface, and not part of the Constitution as enacted. But even if one were to invent such a rule, which has no apparent grounding in the Constitution itself, it is hardly news that the remainder of the document is filled with lively language about "liberty," "due process of law," "unreasonable searches and seizures," and so forth-words that, although not infinitely malleable, are capable of supporting meanings at opposite ends of virtually any legal, political, or ideological spectrum.

It is therefore not surprising that readers on both the right and left of the American political center have invoked the

Constitution as authority for strikingly divergent conclusions about the legitimacy of existing institutions and practices, and that neither wing has found it difficult to cite chapter and verse in support of its "reading" of our fundamental law.

As is true of other areas of law, the materials of constitutional law require construction, leave room for argument over meaning, and tempt the reader to import his or her vision of the just society into the meaning of the materials being considered. . . .

When all of the Constitution's supposed unities are exposed to scrutiny, criticisms of its inconsistency with various readers' sweeping visions of what it ought to be become considerably less impressive. Not all need be reducible to a single theme. Inconsistency-even inconsistency with democracy-is hardly earth-shattering. Listen to Walt Whitman:

"Do 1 contradict myself? Very well then, I contradict myself." "I am large, I contain multitudes," the Constitution replies.

Woll, Peter, ed. American Government Readings and Cases. New York: Pearson Longman, 2004. 47-49.

57

How Not to Read the Constitution- Laurence H. Tribe and Michael C. Dorf

1. In your view, what is purpose of this document (the Constitution) Explain with a couple of examples from the reading.

2. Explain a key point made by the authors that what Madison and the other Framers of the Constitution established was

“only a framework; it is not a blueprint.”

3. Because of how one “reads” the Constitution, interpretation of it is not an exact science. Explain how the authors make the point that finding “original intent of the Framers” is often far from clear, but neither should the Constitution be considered “infinitely malleable.”

4. Although “readers on both the right and left” claim to know what the Constitution really says, explain the point the authors make in the final few sentences of the document.

58

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

U.S. Supreme Court

M'CULLOCH v. STATE, 17 U.S. 316 (1819)

17 U.S. 316 (Wheat.)

M'CULLOCH v. STATE OF MARYLAND et al.

February Term, 1819 - March 7th, 1819.

Points to Consider:

1.

Argument used by Chief Justice Marshall to justify: o o the right of Congress to create a national bank reason why Maryland could not tax the national bank

Mr. Chief Justice Marshall delivered the opinion of the court.

In the case now to be determined, the defendant, a sovereign state, denies the obligation of a law enacted by the legislature of the Union, and the plaintiff, on his part, contests the validity of an act which has been passed by the legislature of that state. The constitution of our country, in its most interesting and vital parts, is to be considered; the conflicting powers of the government of the Union and of its members, as marked in that constitution, are to be discussed; and an opinion given, which may essentially influence the great operations of the government….

If any one proposition could command the universal assent of mankind, we might expect it would be this-that the government of the Union, though limited in its powers, is supreme within its sphere of action. This would seem to result, necessarily, from its nature. It is the government of all; its powers are delegated by all; it represents all, and acts for all. Though any one state may be willing to control its operations, no state is willing to allow others to control them.

The nation, on those subjects on which it can act, must necessarily bind its component parts. But this question is not left to mere reason: the people have, in express terms, decided it, by saying, [17 U.S. 316, 406] 'this constitution, and the laws of the United States, which shall be made in pursuance thereof,' 'shall be the supreme law of the land,' and by requiring that the members of the state legislatures, and the officers of the executive and judicial departments of the states, shall take the oath of fidelity to it….

A constitution, to contain an accurate detail of all the subdivisions of which its great powers will admit, and of all the means by which they may be carried into execution, would partake of the prolixity of a legal code, and could scarcely be embraced by the human mind. It would, probably, never be understood by the public. Its nature, therefore, requires, that only its great outlines should be marked, its important objects designated, and the minor ingredients which compose those objects, be deduced from the nature of the objects themselves. That this idea was entertained by the framers of the

American constitution, is not only to be inferred from the nature of the instrument, but from the language….

Although, among the enumerated powers of government, we do not find the word 'bank' or 'incorporation,' we find the great powers, to lay and collect taxes; to borrow money; to regulate commerce; to declare and conduct a war; and to raise and support armies and navies. The sword and the purse, all the external relations, and no inconsiderable portion of the industry of the nation, are entrusted to its government. It can never be pretended, [17 U.S. 316, 408] that these vast powers draw after them others of inferior importance, merely because they are inferior. Such an idea can never be advanced. But it may with great reason be contended, that a government, entrusted with such ample powers, on the due execution of which the happiness and prosperity of the nation so vitally depends, must also be entrusted with ample means for their execution. The power being given, it is the interest of the nation to facilitate its execution. It can never be their interest, and cannot be presumed to have been their intention, to clog and embarrass its execution, by withholding the most appropriate means. Throughout this vast republic, from the St. Croix to the Gulf of Mexico, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, revenue is to be collected and expended, armies are to be marched and supported. The exigencies of the nation may require, that the treasure raised in the north should be transported to the south, that raised in the east, conveyed to the west, or that this order should be reversed. Is that construction of the constitution to be preferred, which would render these operations difficult, hazardous and expensive? Can we adopt that construction

(unless the words imperiously require it), which would impute to the framers of that instrument, when granting these

59 powers for the public good, the intention of impeding their exercise, by withholding a choice of means? If, indeed, such be the mandate of the constitution, we have only to obey; but that instrument does not profess to enumerate the means by which the powers it confers may be executed; nor does it prohibit the creation of a corporation, [17 U.S. 316, 409] if the existence of such a being be essential, to the beneficial exercise of those powers. It is, then, the subject of fair inquiry, how far such means may be employed….

We admit, as all must admit, that the powers of the government are limited, and that its limits are not to be transcended.

But we think the sound construction of the constitution must allow to the national legislature that discretion, with respect to the means by which the powers it confers are to be carried into execution, which will enable that body to perform the high duties assigned to it, in the manner most beneficial to the people. Let the end be legitimate, let it be within the scope of the constitution, and all means which are appropriate, which are plainly adapted to that end, which are not prohibited, but consist with the letter and spirit of the constitution, are constitutional….

It being the opinion of the court, that the act incorporating the bank is constitutional; and that the power of establishing a branch in the state of Maryland might be properly exercised by the bank itself, we proceed to inquire--

Whether the state of Maryland may, without violating the constitution, tax that branch?

That the power of taxation is one of vital importance; that it is retained by the states; that it is not abridged by the grant of a similar power to the government of the Union; that it is to be concurrently exercised by the two governments-are truths which have never been denied. But such is the paramount character of the constitution, that its capacity to withdraw any subject from the action of even this power, is admitted. The states are expressly forbidden to lay any duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing their inspection laws. If the obligation of this prohibition must be conceded-if it may restrain a state from the exercise of its taxing power on imports and exports-the same paramount character would seem to restrain, as it certainly may restrain, a state from such other exercise of this power, as is in its nature incompatible with, and repugnant to, the constitutional laws of the Union. A law, absolutely repugnant to another, as entirely [17 U.S. 316, 426] repeals that other as if express terms of repeal were used.

On this ground, the counsel for the bank place its claim to be exempted from the power of a state to tax its operations.

There is no express provision for the case, but the claim has been sustained on a principle which so entirely pervades the constitution, is so intermixed with the materials which compose it, so interwoven with its web, so blended with its texture, as to be incapable of being separated from it, without rending it into shreds.

This great principle is, that the constitution and the laws made in pursuance thereof are supreme; that they control the constitution and laws of the respective states, and cannot be controlled by them. From this, which may be almost termed an axiom, other propositions are deduced as corollaries, on the truth or error of which, and on their application to this case, the cause has been supposed to depend. These are, 1st. That a power to create implies a power to preserve: 2d.

That a power to destroy, if wielded by a different hand, is hostile to, and incompatible with these powers to create and to preserve: 3d. That where this repugnancy exists, that authority which is supreme must control, not yield to that over which it is supreme….

If we apply the principle for which the state of Maryland contends, to the constitution, generally, we shall find it capable of changing totally the character of that instrument. We shall find it capable of arresting all the measures of the government, and of prostrating it at the foot of the states. The American people have declared their constitution and the laws made in pursuance thereof, to be supreme; but this principle would transfer the supremacy, in fact, to the states….

The court has bestowed on this subject its most deliberate consideration. The result is a conviction that the states have no power, by taxation or otherwise, to retard, impede, burden, or in any manner control, the operations of the constitutional laws enacted by congress to carry into execution the powers vested in the general government. This is, we think, the unavoidable consequence of that supremacy which the constitution has declared….

60

McCulloch v Maryland Questions to Consider:

1.

What are the advantages for the federal government of establishing a national bank? Read through Article I,

Section 8, Clause 18 of the U.S. Constitution to determine which functions of Congress might be helped by such a bank.

2.

Why would states feel threatened by a national bank?

3.

In your opinion, does the United States government have the authority to establish a national bank? Provide justification for your answer. You may want to review Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the Constitution to see what powers it specifically gives Congress.

4.

If the United States does have authority to establish a bank, does Maryland have the authority to tax that bank?

Why or why not?

5.

Why do you think the Supreme Court of the United States agreed to hear this case? What larger principles were at stake?

61

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

514 U.S. 549

United States v. Lopez

CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

No. 93-1260 Argued: November 8, 1994 --- Decided:

After respondent, then a 12th-grade student, carried a concealed handgun into his high school, he was charged with violating the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990, which forbids "any individual knowingly to possess a firearm at a place that [he] knows . . . is a school zone," 18 U.S.C. § 922 (q)(1)(A). The District Court denied his motion to dismiss the indictment, concluding that § 922(q) is a constitutional exercise of Congress' power to regulate activities in and affecting commerce. In reversing, the Court of Appeals held that, in light of what it characterized as insufficient congressional findings and legislative history, § 922(q) is invalid as beyond Congress' power under the Commerce

Clause.

Held: The Act exceeds Congress' Commerce Clause authority. First, although this Court has upheld a wide variety of congressional Acts regulating intrastate economic activity that substantially affected interstate commerce, the possession of a gun in a local school zone is in no sense an economic activity that might, through repetition elsewhere, have such a substantial effect on interstate commerce. Section 922(q) is a criminal statute that, by its terms, has nothing to do with "commerce" or any sort of economic enterprise, however broadly those terms are defined. Nor is it an essential part of a larger regulation of economic activity, in which the regulatory scheme could be undercut unless the intrastate activity were regulated. It cannot, therefore, be sustained under the Court's cases upholding regulations of activities that arise out of or are connected with a commercial transaction, which viewed in the aggregate, substantially affects interstate commerce. Second, § 922(q) contains no jurisdictional element which would ensure, through case-bycase inquiry, that the firearms possession in question has the requisite nexus with interstate commerce. Respondent was a local student at a local school; there is no indication that he had recently moved in interstate commerce, and there is no requirement that his possession of the firearm have any concrete tie to interstate commerce. To uphold the

Government's contention that § 922(q) is justified because firearms possession in a local school zone does indeed substantially affect interstate commerce would require this Court to pile inference upon inference in a manner that would bid fair to convert congressional Commerce Clause authority to a general police power of the sort held only by the States. Pp. ___.

REHNQUIST, C.J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which O'CONNOR, SCALIA, KENNEDY, and THOMAS,

JJ., joined. KENNEDY, J., filed a concurring opinion, in which O'CONNOR, J., joined. THOMAS, J., filed a concurring opinion. STEVENS, J., and SOUTER, J., filed dissenting opinions. BREYER, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which STEVENS, SOUTER, and GINSBURG, JJ., joined

1.

2.

What are the 3 categories of activities that can be regulated under the Commerce Clause?

What were the arguments made on behalf of the US Government in Lopez?

What reasoning was used by the Court in rejecting the government’s arguments?

3.

4.

5.

What is the standard used to determine whether the Commerce Clause applies to a particular activity?

What is the standard used by the dissenters to determine whether the Commerce Clause applies to a particular activity?

6. Do you agree with the Court’s decision in US v. Lopez? Why or Why not?

7. What impact does the Lopez case have on federalism?

Unit II - Political Beliefs and Behaviors

62

The Democrats seem to be basically nicer people, but they have demonstrated time and again that they have the management skills of celery. They're the kind of people who'd stop to help you change a flat, but would somehow manage to set your car on fire. I would be reluctant to entrust them with a Cuisinart, let alone the economy. The Republicans, on the other hand, would know how to fix your tire, but they wouldn't bother to stop because they'd want to be on time for Ugly Pants Night at the country club.

Dave Barry

Assignments

Chapter 4,5,6 Study Guides

Stock Project (Only for 1 st Term Class)- See Econ section

AP Government Debate #2

Opinion Poll Project

Liberals vs. Conservatives Chart (ws)

Assessments

Chapter Exam 4 – 25 Multiple Choice Questions

Unit Exam Chapter 4,5,6 – 2 FRQ Questions

Secondary Readings

Tocqueville Democracy in America

63

Chapter 4 Study Questions

1.

What do scholars mean by political culture?

2.

What is the difference between equality of opportunity and equality of results?

3.

List the dominant aspects of political culture.

4.

What difference does our American political culture have with other countries’ political cultures? (Use bullet points)

5.

Summarize (you can use bullet points) what the book says about the “culture war” in America.

6.

What is the difference between internal and external efficacy? Look at Figure 4.2 on p. 93 and decide if you agree or disagree with these statements.

7.

As you read through the rest of the chapter, think about how you’d answer the questions asked in Figures 4.3 to 4.5.

Civic competence

Civic duty

Class consciousness

External efficacy

Internal efficacy

Orthodox

Terms

Political culture

Political efficacy

Political ideology

Political subculture

Progressive

Work ethic

64

Chapter 5 Study Questions

Public Opinion

1.

What was the Founders’ attitude towards public opinion? Give examples of how we see that attitude reflected in how they wrote the Constitution.

2.

Identify three problems in assessing public opinion.

3.

The book gives four factors that affect political attitudes. Identify those four factors and summarize the conclusions about how those factors affect people’s political attitudes. Memorize this list.

4.

The book gives three factors that divide people’s political beliefs. Identify those three factors and summarize the conclusions about the correlation between these factors and people’s political opinions. Memorize this.

5.

What were the meanings of the words “liberal” and “conservative” in the 19 th century and how did these meanings change in the 20 th century?

6.

Summarize the four ideological labels the authors describe on pp. 121-22. Feel free to use a chart or bullet points for your summary.

7.

What are the two reasons the book gives why activists or the political elite tend to have more ideological consistency than those who aren’t active? What effect does this ideological consistency have on the difference ideologically between politicians and voters?

8.

What does the term “new class” mean? What political ideology to those in the “new class” ascribe to? Why?

9.

How do elites influence public opinion? What are the limits to their ability to shape public opinion?

10.

If David Brooks was to represent the average voter who votes “Blue” what are his initial impressions of a typical “Red” voter?

11.

According to Brooks, what causes the ideological divide between “Blue” and “Red” voters in the United States?

Do you think his opinions are accurate? Explain your viewpoint.

Conservative

Gender gap

John Q. Public

Liberal

Libertarians

Middle America

Norm

Political elite

Terms

Political ideology

Poll

Populists

Random sample

Religious tradition

Sampling error

Silent majority

Social status

65

Chapter 6 Study Questions

Political Participation

1.

Why does the text claim that the description, analysis, and many of the proposed remedies for low voter turnout rates in the U.S. are generally off base?

2.

Why does the book say that it is incorrect to say that Americans don’t vote as a result of apathy?

3.

What did Congress pass to increase voter participation and what has been the result of that law?

4.

How did states try to keep blacks from voting? Summarize those tactics and how they gradually were changed.

Make sure you know what a literacy test, poll tax, grandfather clause, and the white primary were.

5.

What political effects have there been since the Nineteenth and Twenty-sixth Amendments?

6.

Describe the factors that tend to hold down voter turnout in the U.S.

7.

Make a list of the generalizations that the book makes (p. 136-7) about which groups tend to be more or less likely to vote. Memorize this list.

8.

Summarize the five reasons the book gives for why Americans register and vote less frequently.

Australian ballot

Grandfather clause

Literacy test

Motor-voter law

Terms

Poll tax

Registered voters

Voting-age population

White primary

66

US Government Public Opinion Poll Project

SURVEYS: Each group is responsible for administering 100 surveys. You must have a written record of each individual’s answers to the survey questions on the official survey form. 50 surveys will be used to construct a “straw poll.” This is a very unscientific poll designed to use any sample of the population that you wish. The other 50 surveys will be used for a “quota sample.” The quota sample is based on the makeup of the American population using numbers from the 2000 US Census. This makeup is explained below.

Ethnic groups: white 83.5% (41-42 people)

black 12.4% (6 people)

Asian and American-Indian 4.1% (2-3 people)

note: a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the US

Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean a person of Latin

American descent (especially of Cuban, Mexican, or Puerto Rican

origin) living in the US who may be of any race or ethnic group

(white, black, Asian, etc.)

Age structure: 0-19 years: 28% (13-15 people)

20-54 years: 50% (24-26 people)

55 and over: 22% (10-12 people)

Gender: Female: 51% (26 people)

Male: 49% (24 people)

PRESENTATION OF THE DATA: The information that you gather in the surveys is to be presented in the form of charts and/or graphs on a PowerPoint presentation, poster board, in a three-ring binder, etc…just make sure that it looks professional. There are examples of bar graphs in your book on pages

95. This is just one of the many ways that you can choose to compile your data. Once the data is input into the program, you can decide what type of graph that you want to use. Each question should have a chart relating to each answer, with the data compiled from that question. In other words, if the question that you are asking has 5 possible answers, you will have a total of 15 charts.

I know that there will be a lot of questions over this project. Bear with me when I try and answer your questions…and if I still don’t make it clear to you…please LET ME KNOW!!!

The questions to ask are on the following pages…remember that you MUST have a written record of each survey participant. For the quota sample, you will also want to have written on the answer sheet what gender, age group, and ethnicity they fall under. Actually, on ALL of them, you should have that written on it since you will be using those classifications to create your charts.

67

1.

Which of the following best reflects your attitude towards the job the President has done thus far?

(Strongly approve/Approve/Ambivalent/ Disapprove/Strongly disapprove)

2.

Which of the following best reflects your attitude towards the choice of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of

State? (Strongly approve/Approve/Ambivalent/ Disapprove/Strongly disapprove)

3.

How would you rate your confidence in the American economy? (High/Ambivalent/Low)

4.

How much of an effect do you feel the Department of Homeland Security will have in protecting our borders? (Strong effect/Little effect/No effect at all)

5.

Of the following choices, who do you feel is the most to blame for the current recession?

(Congress/the previous presidents administration/the current administration/None of the above)

6.

How important do you feel the role is of family in shaping American society today? (not important/somewhat important/important/very important/ extremely important)

7.

How would you best classify your feelings on having a female candidate for president? (strongly support/support/oppose/strongly oppose)

8.

How would you best classify your feelings on having a minority candidate for president? (strongly support/support/oppose/strongly oppose)

9.

How justified do you feel America is in the quest to create an “umbrella” missile defense system to shield against Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles? (Strongly justified/justified/ambivalent/unjustified/strongly unjustified)

10.

How important do you feel the role is of religion in shaping American society today? (not important/somewhat important/important/very important/ extremely important)

11.

How would you rate your confidence in the world economy? (High/Ambivalent/Low)

12.

Which of the following best reflects your attitude towards the American government’s handling of terrorists? (Strongly approve/Approve/Ambivalent/ Disapprove/Strongly disapprove)

13.

Which of the following statements best reflects your attitude about the Electoral College? (it should be abolished/it should be reformed/it should be left alone)

14.

Which of the following statements best reflects your attitude toward abortion? (I am pro-life/I am pro-life with some exceptions/I am pro-choice with some exceptions/I am pro-choice)

15.

Which of the following best reflects your attitude toward affirmative action programs in the United

States? (strongly support/support/ambivalent/oppose/ strongly oppose)

16.

How much would you support a raise in the national income tax to strengthen our military? (strongly support/support/ambivalent/oppose/strongly oppose)

17.

How much would you support a raise in the national income tax to strengthen the Social Security program? (strongly support/support/ambivalent/oppose/ strongly oppose)

18.

Which of the following best reflects your views towards expanding gay and lesbian rights? (strongly agree/agree/ambivalent/disagree/strongly disagree)

19.

Which of the following best reflects your views on increasing the military presence on our borders with neighboring nations? (strongly agree/agree/ ambivalent/disagree/strongly disagree)

20.

Which of the following best describes your self-professed political affiliation?

(Democrat/Republican/Libertarian/Green/Independent/No affiliation)

1.

Name the two senators from the state of California.

2.

In what document would you find the phrase “all men are created equal”?

3.

How many United States senators are there?

4.

If the president and the vice-president were to die at the same time, who would become president, according to the Constitution?

5.

In your opinion, what is the most serious problem facing America today?

Public Opinion Poll EXAMPLE

QUESTION 1

Which of the following best reflects your attitude towards the job the President has done thus far?

AGE 0-19 years

Approve

50%

Disapprove

15%

Ambiv.

22%

Strong

Approve

8%

Strong

Disappr ove 5%

ETHNICITY White

GENDER

Male

20-54 years

Black

Female

55 and over

Asian and Amer-Indian

68

1.

Open Excel

2.

Type in data as shown in example:

3.

Select data from worksheet that you want to include in your chart

4. Click on Chart Wizard

5. Select type of graph

6. Final Product

Creating Charts

69

70

Alexis de Tocqueville: Democracy in America

Characteristics of the Federal Constitution of the United States of America as Compared with All

Other Federal Constitutions

The United States of America does not afford the first or the only instance of a confederation, several of which have existed in modern Europe…. Switzerland, the Germanic Empire, and the Republic of the Low

Countries either have been or still are confederations. In studying the constitution of these different countries one is surprised to see that the powers with which they invested the federal government are nearly the same as those awarded by the American Constitution to the government of the United States. They confer upon the central power the same rights of making peace and war, of raising money and troops, and of providing for the general exigencies and the common interests of the nation. Nevertheless, the federal government of these different states has always been as remarkable for its weakness and inefficiency as that of the American Union is for its vigor and capacity. Again, the first American Confederation perished through the excessive weakness of its government…. But the present Constitution of the United States contains certain novel principles which exercise a most important influence, although they do not at once strike the observer.

This Constitution … rests in truth upon a wholly novel theory, which may be considered as a great discovery in modern political science. In all the confederations that preceded the American Constitution of 1789, the states allied for a common object agreed to obey the injunctions of a federal government; but they reserved to themselves the right of ordaining and enforcing the execution of the laws of the union. The American states which combined in 1789 agreed that the Federal government should not only dictate the laws, but execute its own enactments. In both cases the right is the same, but the exercise of the right is different; and this difference produced the most momentous consequences.

In all the confederations that preceded the American Union the federal government, in order to provide for its wants, had to apply to the separate governments; and if what it prescribed was disagreeable to any one of them, means were found to evade its claims…. Under these circumstances one of two results invariably followed: either the strongest of the allied states assumed the privileges of the federal authority and ruled all the others in its name1; or the federal government was abandoned by its natural supporters, anarchy arose between the confederates, and the union lost all power of action.

In America the subjects of the Union are not states, but private citizens: the national government levies a tax, not upon the state of Massachusetts, but upon each inhabitant of Massachusetts. The old confederate governments presided over communities, but that of the Union presides over individuals. Its force is not borrowed but self-derived; and it is served by its own civil and military officers, its own army, and its own courts of justice. It cannot be doubted that the national spirit, the passions of the multitude, and the provincial prejudices of each state tend singularly to diminish the extent of the Federal authority thus constituted and to facilitate resistance to its mandates; but the comparative weakness of a restricted sovereignty is an evil inherent in the federal system….

In all former confederations the privileges of the union furnished more elements of discord than of power, since they multiplied the claims of the nation without augmenting the means of enforcing them; and hence the real weakness of federal governments has almost always been in the exact ratio of their nominal power. Such is not the case in the American Union, in which, as in ordinary governments, the Federal power has the means of enforcing all it is empowered to demand….

Advantages of the Federal System in General, and Its Special Utility in America

... In small states, the watchfulness of society penetrates everywhere, and a desire for improvement pervades the smallest details; the ambition of the people being necessarily checked by its weaknesses, all the efforts and

71 resources of the citizens are turned to the internal well-being of the community and are not likely to be wasted upon an empty pursuit of glory. The powers of every individual being generally limited, his desires are proportionally small. Mediocrity of fortune makes the various conditions of life nearly equal, and the manners of the inhabitants are orderly and simple. Thus, all things considered, and allowance being made for various degrees of morality and enlightenment, we shall generally find more persons in easy circumstances, more contentment and tranquility, in small nations than in large ones.

When tyranny is established in the bosom of a small state, it is more galling than elsewhere, because, acting narrower circle, everything in that circle is affected by it. It supplies the place of those- great designs which it cannot entertain, by a violent or exasperating interference in a multitude of minute details; and it leaves the political world, to which it properly belongs, to meddle with the arrangements of private life. Tastes as well as actions are to be regulated; and the families of the citizens, as well as the state, are to be governed. This invasion of rights occurs but seldom, however, freedom being in truth the natural state of small communities.

The temptations that the government offers to ambition are too weak and the resources of private individuals are too slender or the sovereign power easily to fall into the grasp of a single man; and should such an event occur, the subjects of the state can easily unite and overthrow the tyrant and the tyranny at once by a common effort.

Small nations have therefore always been the cradle of political liberty; and the fact that many of them have lost their liberty by becoming larger shows that their freedom was more a consequence of their small size than of the character of the people.

The history of the world affords no instance of a great nation retaining the form of republican government for a long series of years….3 But it may be said with confidence, that a great republic will always be exposed to more perils than a small one.

All the passions that are most fatal to republican institutions increase with an increasing territory…. The ambition of private citizens increases with the power of the state; the strength of parties with the importance of the ends they have in view; but the love of country, which ought to check these destructive agencies, is not stronger in a large than in a small republic. It might, indeed, be easily proved that it is less powerful and less developed. Great wealth and extreme poverty, capital cities of large size, a lax morality, selfishness, and antagonism of interests are the dangers which almost invariably arise from the magnitude of states. Several of these evils scarcely injure a monarchy, and some of them even contribute to its strength and duration. In monarchical states the government has its peculiar strength; it may use, but it does not depend on, the community; and the more numerous the people, the stronger is the prince. But the only security that a republican government possesses against these evils lies in the support of the majority. This support is not, however, proportionably greater in a large republic than in a small one; and thus, while the means 'of attack perpetually increase, in both number and influence, the power of resistance remains the same; or it may rather be said to diminish, since the inclinations and interests of the people are more diversified by the increase of the population, and the difficulty of forming a compact majority is constantly augmented. It has been observed, moreover, that the intensity of human passions is heightened not only by the importance of the end which they propose to attain, but by the multitude of individuals who are animated by them at the same time…. In great republics, political passions become irresistible, not only because they aim at gigantic objects, but because they are felt and shared by millions of men at the same time.

… Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge the peculiar advantages of great states. For the very reason that the desire for power is more intense in these communities than among ordinary men, the love of glory is also more developed in the hearts of certain citizens, who regard the applause of a great people as a reward worthy of their exertions and an elevating encouragement to man…. To this it may be added that most important discoveries demand a use of national power which the government of a small state is unable to make: in great nations the government has more enlarged ideas, and is more completely disengaged from the

72 routine of precedent and the selfishness of local feeling; its designs are conceived with more talent and executed with more boldness.

In time of peace the well-being of small nations is undoubtedly more general and complete; but they are apt to suffer more acutely from the calamities of war than those great empires whose distant frontiers may long avert the presence of the danger from the mass of the people, who axe therefore more frequently afflicted than ruined by the contest.

But in this matter, as in many others, the decisive argument is the necessity of the case. If none but small nations existed, I do not doubt that mankind would be more happy and more free; but the existence of great nations is unavoidable.

Political strength thus becomes a condition of national prosperity…. Small nations are often miserable, not because they are small, but because they are weak; and great empires prosper less because they are great than because they are strong. Physical strength is therefore one of the first conditions of the happiness and even of the existence of nations. Hence it occurs that, unless very peculiar circumstances intervene, small nations are always united to large empires in the end, either by force or by their own consent. I do not know a more deplorable condition than that of a people unable to defend itself or to provide for its own wants.

The federal system was created with the intention of combining the different advantages which result from the magnitude and the littleness of nations; and a glance at the United States of America discovers the advantages which they have derived from its adoption.

In great centralized nations the legislator is obliged to give a character of uniformity to the laws, which does not always suit the diversity of customs and of districts; as he takes no cognizance of special cases, he can only proceed upon the general principles; and the population are obliged to conform to the requirements of the laws, since legislation cannot adapt itself to the exigencies and the customs of the population, which is a great cause of trouble and misery. This disadvantage does not exist in confederations; Congress regulates the principle measures of the national government, and all the details of the administration are reserved to the provincial legislatures. One can hardly imagine how much this division of sovereignty contributes to the wellbeing of each of the states that compose the Union. In these small communities, which are never agitated by the desire of aggrandizement or the care of self-defense, all public authority and private energy are turned towards internal improvements. The central government of each state, which is in immediate relationship with the citizens, is daily apprised of the wants that arise in society; and new projects are proposed every year, which are discussed at town meetings or by the legislature, and which are transmitted by the press to stimulate the zeal and to excite the interest of the citizens. This spirit of improvement is constantly alive in the

American republics,… the ambition of power yields to the less refined and less dangerous desire for wellbeing. It is generally believed in America that the existence and the permanence of the republican form of government in the New World depend upon the existence and the duration of the federal system; and it is not unusual to attribute a large share of the misfortunes that have befallen the new states of South America to the injudicious erection of great republics instead of a divided and confederate sovereignty.

It is incontestably true that the tastes and the habits of republican government in the United States were first created in the townships and the provincial assemblies. In a small state, like that of Connecticut, for instance, where cutting a canal or laying down a road is a great political question, where the state has no army to pay and no wars to carry on, and where much wealth or much honor cannot be given to the rulers, no form of government can be more natural or more appropriate than a republic. But it is this same republican spirit, it is these manners and customs of a free people, which have been created and nurtured in the different states, that must be afterwards applied to the country at large. The public spirit of the Union is … nothing more than an aggregate or summary of the patriotic zeal of the separate provinces. Every citizen of the United States transfers … his attachment to his little republic into the common store of American patriotism. In defending

73 the Union he defends the increasing prosperity of his own state or county, the-right of conducting its affairs, and the hope of causing measures of improvement to be adopted in it which may be favorable to his own interests; and these are motives that … stir men more than the general interests of the country amid the glory of the nation.

On the other hand, if the temper and the manners of the inhabitants especially fitted them to promote the welfare of a great republic, the federal system renders their task less difficult. The confederation of all the

American states presents none of the ordinary inconveniences resulting from large associations of men. The

Union is a great republic in extent, but the paucity of objects for which its government acts assimilates it to a small state. Its acts are important, but they are rare. As the sovereignty of the Union is limited and incomplete, its exercise is not dangerous to liberty; for it does not excite those insatiable desires for fame and power which have proved so fatal to great repub1ic. As there is no common center to the country, great capital cities, colossal wealth, abject poverty, and sudden revolutions are alike unknown; and political passion; … spends it strength against the interests and the individual passions of every state.

Nevertheless, tangible objects and ideas circulate throughout the Union as freely as in a country inhibited by one people. Nothing checks the spirit of enterprise. The government invites the aid of all who have talents or knowledge to serve it. Inside of the frontiers of the Union profound peace prevails, as within the heart of some great empire; abroad it ranks with the most powerful nations of the earth: two thousand miles of coast are open to the commerce of the world; and as it holds the keys of a new world, its flag is respected in the most remote seas. The Union is happy and free as a small people, and glorious and strong as a great nation.

Why the Federal System is Not Practicable for All Nations, and How the Anglo-Americans Were

Enabled to Adopt It

… I have shown the advantages that the Americans derive from their federal system; it remains for me to point out the circumstances that enabled them to adopt it, as its benefits cannot be enjoyed by all nations. The accidental defects of the federal system which originate in the laws may be corrected by the skill of the legislature, but there are evils inherent in the system which cannot be remedied by any effort. The people must therefore find in themselves the strength necessary to bear the natural imperfections of their government.

The most prominent evil of all federal systems is the complicated nature of the means they employ. Two sovereignties are necessarily in presence of each other. The legislator may simplify and equalize as far as possible the action of these two sovereignties, by limiting each of them to a sphere of authority accurately defined; but he cannot combine them into one or prevent them from coming into collision at certain points.

The federal system … rests upon a theory … which demands the daily exercise of a considerable share of discretion on the part of those it governs

In examining the Constitution of the United States, which is the most perfect federal constitution that ever existed, one is startled at the variety of information and the amount of discernment that it presupposes in the people whom it is meant to govern….

After the general theory is comprehended, many difficulties remain to be solved in its application; for, the sovereignty of the Union is so involved in that of the states that it is impossible to distinguish its boundaries, at the first glance. The whole structure of the government is artificial and conventional, and it would be ill adapted to a people which have not been long accustomed to conduct its own affairs, or to one in which the science of politics has not descended to the humblest classes of society. I have never been more struck by the good sense and the practical judgment of the Americans than in the manner in which they elude the numberless difficulties resulting from their Federal Constitution. I scarcely ever met with a plain American citizen who could not distinguish with surprising facility the obligations created by the laws of Congress from

those created by the laws of his own state, and who … could not point out the exact limit of the separate jurisdictions of the Federal courts and the tribunals of the state.

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The Constitution of the United States resembles those fine creations of human industry which ensure wealth and renown to their inventors, but which are profitless in other hands....

The second and most fatal of all defects … inherent in the federal system, is the relative weakness of the government of the Union. The principle upon which all confederations rest is that of a divided sovereignty.

Legislators may render this partition less perceptible, they may even conceal it for a time from the public eye, but they cannot prevent it from existing; and a divided sovereignty must always be weaker than an entire one.

The remarks made on the Constitution of the United States have shown with what skill the Americans, while restraining the power of the Union within the narrow limits of a federal government, have given it the semblance, and to a certain extent the force, of a national government. By this means the legislators of the

Union have diminished the natural danger of confederations, but have not entirely obviated it.

The American government … does not address itself to the states, but transmits its injunctions directly to the citizens and compels them individually to comply with its demands. But if the Federal law were to clash with the interests and the prejudices of a state, it might be feared that all the citizens of that state would conceive themselves to be interested in the cause of a single individual who refused to obey. If all the citizens of the state were aggrieved at the same time and in the same manner by the authority of the Union, the Federal government would vainly attempt to subdue them individually; they would instinctively unite in a common defense and would find an organization already prepared for them in the sovereignty that their state is allowed to enjoy. Fiction would give way to reality, and an organized portion of the nation might then contest the central authority.

The same observation holds good with regard to the Federal jurisdiction. If the courts of the Union violated an important law of a state in a private case, the real though not the apparent contest would be between the aggrieved state represented by a citizen and the Union represented by its courts of justice.

He would have but a partial knowledge of the world who should imagine that it is possible by the aid of legal fictions to prevent men from finding out and employing those means of gratifying their passions which have been left open to them. The American legislators, though they have rendered a collision between the two sovereignties less probable, have not destroyed the causes of such a misfortune…. The Union is possessed of money and troops, but the states have kept the affections and the prejudices of the people. The sovereignty of the Union is an abstract being, which is connected with but few external objects; the sovereignty of the states is perceptible by the senses, easily understood, and constantly active. The former is of recent creation, the latter is coeval with the people itself. The sovereignty of the Union is factitious, that of the states is natural and self-existent, without effort, like the authority of a parent. The sovereignty of the nation affects a few of the chief interests of society; it represents an immense but remote country, a vague and ill-defined sentiment.

The authority of the states controls every individual citizen at every hour and in all circumstances; it protects his property, his freedom, and his life; it affects at every moment his well-being or his misery. When we recollect the traditions, the customs, the prejudices of local and familiar attachment with which it is connected, we cannot doubt the superiority of a power that rests on the instinct of patriotism, so natural to the human heart.

Since legislators cannot prevent such dangerous collisions as occur between the two sovereignties which coexist in the Federal system, their first object must be, not only to dissuade the confederate states from warfare, but to encourage such dispositions as lead to peace. Hence it is that the Federal compact cannot be lasting unless there exists in the communities which are leagued together a certain number of inducements to union which render their common dependence agreeable and the task of the government light. The Federal system cannot succeed without the presence of favorable circumstances added to the influence of good laws.

All the nations that have ever formed a confederation have been held together by some common interests, which served as the intellectual ties of association….

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The circumstance which makes it easy to maintain a Federal government in America is not only that the states have similar interests, a common origin, and a common language, but they have also arrived at the same stage of civilization, which almost always renders a union feasible. I do not know of any European nation, however small, that does not present less uniformity in its different provinces than the American people, which occupy a territory as extensive as one half of Europe. The distance from Maine to Georgia is about one thousand miles; but the difference between the civilization of Maine and that of Georgia is slighter than the difference between the habits of Normandy and those of Brittany. Maine and Georgia, which are placed at the opposite extremities of a great empire, have therefore more real inducements to form a confederation than Normandy and Brittany, which are separated only by a brook.

The geographical position of the country increased the facilities that the American legislators derived from the usages and customs of the inhabitants; and it is to this circumstance that the adoption and the maintenance of the Federal system are mainly attributable.

The most important occurrence in the life of a nation is the breaking out of a war.... A long war almost always reduces nations to the wretched alternative of being abandoned to ruin by defeat or to despotism by success.

War therefore renders the weakness of a government most apparent and most alarming; and I have shown that the inherent defect of federal governments is that of being weak.

The federal system not only has no centralized administration, and nothing that resembles one, but the central government itself is imperfectly organized, which is always a great cause of weakness when the nation is opposed to other countries which are themselves governed by a single authority. In the Federal Constitution of the United States, where the central government has more real force than in any other confederation, this evil is extremely evident.

How does it happen, then, that the American Union … is not dissolved by the occurrence of a great war? It is because it has no great wars to fear. Placed in the center of an immense continent, which offers a boundless field for human industry, the Union is almost as much insulated from the world as if all its frontiers were girt by the ocean....

The great advantage of the United States does not, then, consist in a Federal Constitution which allows it to carry on great wars, but In a geographical position which renders such wars extremely improbable.

No one can be more inclined than I am to appreciate the advantages of the federal system, which I hold to be one of the combinations most favorable to the prosperity and freedom of men. I envy the lot of those nations which have been able to adopt it; but I cannot believe that any confederate people could maintain a long or an equal contest with a nation of similar strength in which the government is centralized. A people which, in the presence of the great military monarchies of Europe, should divide its sovereignty into fractional parts would, in my opinion, by that very act abdicate its power, and perhaps its existence and its name. But such is the admirable position of the New World that man has no other enemy than himself, and that, in order to be happy and to be free, he has only to determine that he will be so.

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1. The case in Greece when Philip undertook to execute the decrees of the Amphictyons; in the Low Countries, where the province of Holland always gave the law; and in our own time in the Germanic Confederation, In which Austria and Prussia make themselves the agents of the Diet and rule the whole confederation in its name.

2. Such has always been the situation of the Swiss Confederation, which would have perished ages ago but for the mutual jealousies of its neighbors.

3. I do not speak of a confederation of small republics, but of a great consolidated republic.

Democracy in America Questions

1. Which is worse, according to Tocqueville, the tyranny of the majority or the unrestrained liberty of association? Why?

2. What differences does Tocqueville find between the use of the right of association in Europe and in

America? What accounts for those differences?

3. Tocqueville writes, "extreme liberty sometimes corrects the abuses of liberty, and ... extreme democracy obviates the dangers of democracy." Explain.

4. How do voluntary associations prevent tyranny from increasing as equality increases?

5. What would produce tyranny? Could democracy produce despotism, according to Tocqueville? How?

6. Does Tocqueville believe the government should intervene in or even take over business affairs? Why or why not?

7. What must aristocratic countries do in the democratic age, according to Tocqueville?

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O

NE

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ATION

, S

LIGHTLY

D

IVISIBLE

The electoral map of the 2000 presidential race became famous: big blocks of red (denoting states that went for

Bush) stretched across the heartland, with brackets of blue (denoting states for Gore) along the coasts. Our Blue

America correspondent has ventured repeatedly into Red territory. He asks the question—after September 11, a pressing one—Do our differences effectively split us into two nations, or are they just cracks in a still-united whole?

BY D AVID B ROOKS

Sixty-five miles from where I am writing this sentence is a place with no Starbucks, no Pottery Barn, no

Borders or Barnes & Noble. No blue New York Times delivery bags dot the driveways on Sunday mornings.

In this place people don't complain that Woody Allen isn't as funny as he used to be, because they never thought he was funny. In this place you can go to a year's worth of dinner parties without hearing anyone quote an aperçu he first heard on

Charlie Rose . The people here don't buy those little rear-window stickers when they go to a summer-vacation spot so that they can drive around with "MV" decals the rest of the year; for the most part they don't even go to Martha's Vineyard.

The place I'm talking about goes by different names. Some call it America. Others call it Middle America. It has also come to be known as Red America, in reference to the maps that were produced on the night of the

2000 presidential election. People in Blue America, which is my part of America, tend to live around big cities on the coasts. People in Red America tend to live on farms or in small towns or small cities far away from the coasts. Things are different there.

Everything that people in my neighborhood do without motors, the people in Red America do with motors.

We sail; they powerboat. We cross-country ski; they snowmobile. We hike; they drive ATVs. We have vineyard tours; they have tractor pulls. When it comes to yard work, they have rider mowers; we have illegal aliens.

Different sorts of institutions dominate life in these two places. In Red America churches are everywhere. In

Blue America Thai restaurants are everywhere. In Red America they have QVC, the Pro Bowlers Tour, and hunting. In Blue America we have NPR, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and socially conscious investing. In Red

America the Wal-Marts are massive, with parking lots the size of state parks. In Blue America the stores are small but the markups are big. You'll rarely see a Christmas store in Blue America, but in Red America, even in July, you'll come upon stores selling fake Christmas trees, wreath-decorated napkins, Rudolph the Red-

Nosed Reindeer collectible thimbles and spoons, and little snow-covered villages.

We in the coastal metro Blue areas read more books and attend more plays than the people in the Red heartland. We're more sophisticated and cosmopolitan—just ask us about our alumni trips to China or

Provence, or our interest in Buddhism. But don't ask us, please, what life in Red America is like. We don't know. We don't know who Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins are, even though the novels they have co-written have sold about 40 million copies over the past few years. We don't know what James Dobson says on his radio program, which is listened to by millions. We don't know about Reba or Travis. We don't know what happens in mega-churches on Wednesday evenings, and some of us couldn't tell you the difference between a fundamentalist and an evangelical, let alone describe what it means to be a Pentecostal. Very few of us know what goes on in Branson, Missouri, even though it has seven million visitors a year, or could name even five

NASCAR drivers, although stock-car races are the best-attended sporting events in the country. We don't know how to shoot or clean a rifle. We can't tell a military officer's rank by looking at his insignia. We don't know what soy beans look like when they're growing in a field.

All we know, or all we think we know, about Red America is that millions and millions of its people live quietly underneath flight patterns, many of them are racist and homophobic, and when you see them at highway rest stops, they're often really fat and their clothes are too tight.

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And apparently we don't want to know any more than that. One can barely find any books at Amazon.com about what it is like to live in small-town America—or, at least, any books written by normal people who grew up in small towns, liked them, and stayed there. The few books that do exist were written either by people who left the heartland because they hated it (Bill Bryson's The Lost Continent , for example) or by urbanites who moved to Red America as part of some life-simplification plan ( Moving to a Small Town: A

Guidebook for Moving from Urban to Rural America ; National Geographic's Guide to Small Town Escapes).

Apparently no publishers or members of the Blue book-buying public are curious about Red America as seen through Red America's eyes.

C ROSSING THE M EATLOAF L INE

Over the past several months, my interest piqued by those stark blocks of color on the election-night maps, I have every now and then left my home in Montgomery County, Maryland, and driven sixty-five miles northwest to Franklin County, in south-central Pennsylvania. Montgomery County is one of the steaming-hot centers of the great espresso machine that is Blue America. It is just over the border from northwestern

Washington, D.C., and it is full of upper-middle-class towns inhabited by lawyers, doctors, stockbrokers, and establishment journalists like me—towns like Chevy Chase, Potomac, and Bethesda (where I live). Its central artery is a burgeoning high-tech corridor with a multitude of sparkling new office parks housing technology companies such as United Information Systems and Sybase, and pioneering biotech firms such as Celera

Genomics and Human Genome Sciences. When I drive to Franklin County, I take Route 270. After about forty-five minutes I pass a Cracker Barrel—Red America condensed into chain-restaurant form. I've crossed the Meatloaf Line; from here on there will be a lot fewer sun-dried-tomato concoctions on restaurant menus and a lot more meatloaf platters.

Franklin County is Red America. It's a rural county, about twenty-five miles west of Gettysburg, and it includes the towns of Waynesboro, Chambersburg, and Mercersburg. It was originally settled by the Scotch-

Irish, and has plenty of Brethren and Mennonites along with a fast-growing population of evangelicals. The joke that Pennsylvanians tell about their state is that it has Philadelphia on one end, Pittsburgh on the other, and Alabama in the middle. Franklin County is in the Alabama part. It strikes me as I drive there that even though I am going north across the Mason-Dixon line, I feel as if I were going south. The local culture owes more to Nashville, Houston, and Daytona than to Washington, Philadelphia, or New York.

I shuttled back and forth between Franklin and Montgomery Counties because the cultural differences between the two places are great, though the geographic distance is small. The two places are not perfect microcosms of Red and Blue America. The part of Montgomery County I am here describing is largely the

Caucasian part. Moreover, Franklin County is in a Red part of a Blue state: overall, Pennsylvania went for

Gore. And I went to Franklin County aware that there are tremendous differences within Red America, just as there are within Blue. Franklin County is quite different from, say, Scottsdale, Arizona, just as Bethesda is quite different from Oakland, California.

Nonetheless, the contrasts between the two counties leap out, and they are broadly suggestive of the sorts of contrasts that can be seen nationwide. When Blue America talks about social changes that convulsed society, it tends to mean the 1960s rise of the counterculture and feminism. When Red America talks about changes that convulsed society, it tends to mean World War II, which shook up old town establishments and led to a great surge of industry.

Red America makes social distinctions that Blue America doesn't. For example, in Franklin County there seems to be a distinction between those fiercely independent people who live in the hills and people who live in the valleys. I got a hint of the distinct and, to me, exotic hill culture when a hill dweller asked me why I thought hunting for squirrel and rabbit had gone out of fashion. I thought maybe it was just more fun to hunt

79 something bigger. But he said, "McDonald's. It's cheaper to get a hamburger at McDonald's than to go out and get it yourself."

There also seems to be an important distinction between men who work outdoors and men who work indoors.

The outdoor guys wear faded black T-shirts they once picked up at a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert and wrecked jeans that appear to be washed faithfully at least once a year. They've got wraparound NASCAR sunglasses, maybe a NAPA auto parts cap, and hair cut in a short wedge up front but flowing down over their shoulders in the back—a cut that is known as a mullet, which is sort of a cross between Van Halen's style and Kenny

Rogers's, and is the ugliest hairdo since every hairdo in the seventies. The outdoor guys are heavily accessorized, and their accessories are meant to show how hard they work, so they will often have a gigantic wad of keys hanging from a belt loop, a tape measure strapped to the belt, a pocket knife on a string tucked into the front pants pocket, and a pager or a cell phone affixed to the hip, presumably in case some power lines go down somewhere and need emergency repair. Outdoor guys have a thing against sleeves. They work so hard that they've got to keep their arm muscles unencumbered and their armpit hair fully ventilated, so they either buy their shirts sleeveless or rip the sleeves off their T-shirts first thing, leaving bits of fringe hanging over their BAD TO THE BONE tattoos.

The guys who work indoors can't project this rugged proletarian image. It's simply not that romantic to be a bank-loan officer or a shift manager at the local distribution center. So the indoor guys adopt a look that a smart-ass, sneering Blue American might call Bible-academy casual—maybe Haggar slacks, which they bought at a dry-goods store best known for its appliance department, and a short-sleeved white Van Heusen shirt from the Bon-Ton. Their image projects not "I work hard" but "I'm a devoted family man." A lot of indoor guys have a sensitive New Age demeanor. When they talk about the days their kids were born, their eyes take on a soft Garth Brooks expression, and they tear up. They exaggerate how sinful they were before they were born again. On Saturdays they are patio masters, barbecuing on their gas grills in full Father's Dayapron regalia.

At first I thought the indoor guys were the faithful, reliable ones: the ones who did well in school, whereas the outdoor guys were druggies. But after talking with several preachers in Franklin County, I learned that it's not that simple. Sometimes the guys who look like bikers are the most devoted community-service volunteers and church attendees.

The kinds of distinctions we make in Blue America are different. In my world the easiest way to categorize people is by headroom needs. People who went to business school or law school like a lot of headroom. They buy humongous sport-utility vehicles that practically have cathedral ceilings over the front seats. They live in homes the size of country clubs, with soaring entry atriums so high that they could practically fly a kite when they come through the front door. These big-headroom people tend to be predators: their jobs have them negotiating and competing all day. They spend small fortunes on dry cleaning. They grow animated when talking about how much they love their blackberries. They fill their enormous wall space with huge professional family portraits—Mom and Dad with their perfect kids (dressed in light-blue oxford shirts) laughing happily in an orchard somewhere.

Small-headroom people tend to have been liberal-arts majors, and they have liberal-arts jobs. They get passive-aggressive pleasure from demonstrating how modest and environmentally sensitive their living containers are. They hate people with SUVs, and feel virtuous driving around in their low-ceilinged little

Hondas, which often display a RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS bumper sticker or one bearing an image of a fish with legs, along with the word "Darwin," just to show how intellectually superior to fundamentalist

Christians they are.

Some of the biggest differences between Red and Blue America show up on statistical tables. Ethnic diversity is one. In Montgomery County 60 percent of the population is white, 15 percent is black, 12 percent is

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Hispanic, and 11 percent is Asian. In Franklin County 95 percent of the population is white. White people work the gas-station pumps and the 7-Eleven counters. (This is something one doesn't often see in my part of the country.) Although the nation is growing more diverse, it's doing so only in certain spots. According to an analysis of the 2000 census by Bill Frey, a demographer at the Milken Institute, well over half the counties in

America are still at least 85 percent white.

Another big thing is that, according to 1990 census data, in Franklin County only 12 percent of the adults have college degrees and only 69 percent have high school diplomas. In Montgomery County 50 percent of the adults have college degrees and 91 percent have high school diplomas. The education gap extends to the children. At Walt Whitman High School, a public school in Bethesda, the average SAT scores are 601 verbal and 622 math, whereas the national average is 506 verbal and 514 math. In Franklin County, where people are quite proud of their schools, the average SAT scores at, for example, the Waynesboro area high school are

495 verbal and 480 math. More and more kids in Franklin County are going on to college, but it is hard to believe that their prospects will be as bright as those of the kids in Montgomery County and the rest of upscale Blue America.

Because the information age rewards education with money, it's not surprising that Montgomery County is much richer than Franklin County. According to some estimates, in Montgomery County 51 percent of households have annual incomes above $75,000, and the average household income is $100,365. In Franklin

County only 16 percent of households have incomes above $75,000, and the average is $51,872.

A major employer in Montgomery County is the National Institutes of Health, which grows like a scientific boomtown in Bethesda. A major economic engine in Franklin County is the interstate highway Route 81.

Trucking companies have gotten sick of fighting the congestion on Route 95, which runs up the Blue corridor along the northeast coast, so they move their stuff along 81, farther inland. Several new distribution centers have been built along 81 in Franklin County, and some of the workers who were laid off when their factories closed, several years ago, are now settling for $8.00 or $9.00 an hour loading boxes.

The two counties vote differently, of course—the differences, on a nationwide scale, were what led to those red-and-blue maps. Like upscale areas everywhere, from Silicon Valley to Chicago's North Shore to suburban

Connecticut, Montgomery County supported the Democratic ticket in last year's presidential election, by a margin of 63 percent to 34 percent. Meanwhile, like almost all of rural America, Franklin County went

Republican, by 67 percent to 30 percent.

However, other voting patterns sometimes obscure the Red-Blue cultural divide. For example, minority voters all over the country overwhelmingly supported the Democratic ticket last November. But—in many respects, at least—blacks and Hispanics in Red America are more traditionalist than blacks and Hispanics in Blue

America, just as their white counterparts are. For example, the Pew Research Center for the People and the

Press, in Washington, D.C., recently found that 45 percent of minority members in Red states agree with the statement "AIDS might be God's punishment for immoral sexual behavior," but only 31 percent of minority members in Blue states do. Similarly, 40 percent of minorities in Red states believe that school boards should have the right to fire homosexual teachers, but only 21 percent of minorities in Blue states do.

F ROM C RACKS TO A C HASM ?

These differences are so many and so stark that they lead to some pretty troubling questions: Are Americans any longer a common people? Do we have one national conversation and one national culture? Are we loyal to the same institutions and the same values? How do people on one side of the divide regard those on the other?

I went to Franklin County because I wanted to get a sense of how deep the divide really is, to see how people

81 there live, and to gauge how different their lives are from those in my part of America. I spoke with ministers, journalists, teachers, community leaders, and pretty much anyone I ran across. I consulted with pollsters, demographers, and market-research firms.

Toward the end of my project the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were attacked. This put a new slant on my little investigation. In the days immediately following September 11 the evidence seemed clear that despite our differences, we are still a united people. American flags flew everywhere in Franklin County and in Montgomery County. Patriotism surged. Pollsters started to measure Americans' reactions to the events.

Whatever questions they asked, the replies were near unanimous. Do you support a military response against terror? More than four fifths of Americans said yes. Do you support a military response even if it means thousands of U.S. casualties? More than three fifths said yes. There were no significant variations across geographic or demographic lines.

A sweeping feeling of solidarity was noticeable in every neighborhood, school, and workplace. Headlines blared, "A NATION UNITED" and "UNITED STATE." An attack had been made on the very epicenter of

Blue America—downtown Manhattan. And in a flash all the jokes about and seeming hostility toward New

Yorkers vanished, to be replaced by an outpouring of respect, support, and love. The old hostility came to seem merely a sort of sibling rivalry, which means nothing when the family itself is under threat.

But very soon there were hints that the solidarity was fraying. A few stray notes of dissent were sounded in the organs of Blue America. Susan Sontag wrote a sour piece in The New Yorker about how depressing it was to see what she considered to be a simplistically pro-American reaction to the attacks. At rallies on college campuses across the country speakers pointed out that America had been bombing other countries for years, and turnabout was fair play. On one NPR talk show I heard numerous callers express unease about what they saw as a crude us-versus-them mentality behind President Bush's rhetoric. Katha Pollitt wrote in The Nation that she would not permit her daughter to hang the American flag from the living-room window, because, she felt, it "stands for jingoism and vengeance and war." And there was evidence that among those with lessstrident voices, too, differences were beginning to show. Polls revealed that people without a college education were far more confident than people with a college education that the military could defeat the terrorists. People in the South were far more eager than people in the rest of the country for an American counterattack to begin.

It started to seem likely that these cracks would widen once the American response got under way, when the focus would be not on firemen and rescue workers but on the Marines, the CIA, and the special-operations forces. If the war was protracted, the cracks could widen into a chasm, as they did during Vietnam. Red

America, the home of patriotism and military service (there's a big military-recruitment center in downtown

Chambersburg), would undoubtedly support the war effort, but would Blue America (there's a big gourmet dog bakery in downtown Bethesda) decide that a crude military response would only deepen animosities and make things worse?

So toward the end of my project I investigated Franklin County with a heightened sense of gravity and with much more urgency. If America was not firmly united in the early days of the conflict, we would certainly not be united later, when the going got tough.

"T HE P EOPLE V ERSUS THE P OWERFUL "

There are a couple of long-standing theories about why America is divided. One of the main ones holds that the division is along class lines, between the haves and the have-nots. This theory is popular chiefly on the left, and can be found in the pages of The American Prospect and other liberal magazines; in news reports by liberal journalists such as Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele, of Time ; and in books such as Middle Class

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Dreams (1995), by the Clinton and Gore pollster Stanley Greenberg, and America's Forgotten Majority: Why the White Working Class Still Matters (2000), by the demographer Ruy Teixeira and the social scientist Joel

Rogers.

According to this theory, during most of the twentieth century gaps in income between the rich and the poor in America gradually shrank. Then came the information age. The rich started getting spectacularly richer, the poor started getting poorer, and wages for the middle class stagnated, at best. Over the previous decade, these writers emphasized, remuneration for top-level executives had skyrocketed: now the average CEO made 116 times as much as the average rank-and-file worker. Assembly-line workers found themselves competing for jobs against Third World workers who earned less than a dollar an hour. Those who had once labored at wellpaying blue-collar jobs were forced to settle for poorly paying service-economy jobs without benefits.

People with graduate degrees have done well over the past couple of decades: their real hourly wages climbed by 13 percent from 1979 to 1997, according to Teixeira and Rogers. But those with only some college education saw their wages fall by nine percent, while those with only high school diplomas saw their wages fall by 12 percent, and high school dropouts saw a stunning 26 percent decline in their pay.

Such trends have created a new working class, these writers argue—not a traditional factory-and-mill working class but a suburban and small-town working class, made up largely of service workers and low-level whitecollar employees. Teixeira and Rogers estimate that the average household income for this group, which accounts for about 55 percent of American adults, is roughly $42,000. "It is not hard to imagine how [recent economic trends] must have felt to the forgotten majority man," they write.

As at least part of America was becoming ever more affluent, an affluence that was well covered on television and in the evening news, he did not seem to be making much progress. What could he be doing wrong to be faring so poorly? Why couldn't he afford what others could? And why were they moving ahead while he was standing still?

Stanley Greenberg tailored Al Gore's presidential campaign to appeal to such voters. Gore's most significant slogan was "The People Versus the Powerful," which was meant to rally members of the middle class who felt threatened by "powerful forces" beyond their control, such as HMOs, tobacco companies, big corporations, and globalization, and to channel their resentment against the upper class. Gore dressed down throughout his campaign in the hope that these middle-class workers would identify with him.

Driving from Bethesda to Franklin County, one can see that the theory of a divide between the classes has a certain plausibility. In Montgomery County we have Saks Fifth Avenue, Cartier, Anthropologie, Brooks

Brothers. In Franklin County they have Dollar General and Value City, along with a plethora of secondhand stores. It's as if Franklin County has only forty-five coffee tables, which are sold again and again.

When the locals are asked about their economy, they tell a story very similar to the one that Greenberg,

Teixeira, Rogers, and the rest of the wage-stagnation liberals recount. There used to be plenty of good factory jobs in Franklin County, and people could work at those factories for life. But some of the businesses, including the textile company J. Schoeneman, once Franklin County's largest manufacturer, have closed.

Others have moved offshore. The remaining manufacturers, such as Grove Worldwide and JLG Industries, which both make cranes and aerial platforms, have laid off workers. The local Army depot, Letterkenny, has radically shrunk its work force. The new jobs are in distribution centers or nursing homes. People tend to repeat the same phrase: "We've taken some hits."

And yet when they are asked about the broader theory, whether there is class conflict between the educated affluents and the stagnant middles, they stare blankly as if suddenly the interview were being conducted in

Aramaic. I kept asking, Do you feel that the highly educated people around, say, New York and Washington are getting all the goodies? Do you think there is resentment toward all the latte sippers who shop at Nieman

Marcus? Do you see a gulf between high-income people in the big cities and middle-income people here? I got only polite, fumbling answers as people tried to figure out what the hell I was talking about.

When I rephrased the question in more-general terms, as Do you believe the country is divided between the haves and the have-nots?, everyone responded decisively: yes. But as the conversation continued, it became clear that the people saying yes did not consider themselves to be among the have-nots. Even people with incomes well below the median thought of themselves as haves.

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What I found was entirely consistent with the election returns from November of last year. Gore's pitch failed miserably among the voters it was intended to target: nationally he lost among non-college-educated white voters by 17 points and among non-college-educated white men by 29 points. But it worked beautifully on the affluent, educated class: for example, Gore won among women with graduate degrees by 22 points. The lesson seems to be that if you run a campaign under the slogan "The People Versus the Powerful," you will not do well in the places where "the people" live, but you will do fantastically well in the places where "the powerful" live. This phenomenon mirrors, on a larger scale, one I noted a couple of years ago, when I traveled the country for a year talking about Bobos in Paradise, a book I had written on upscale America. The richer the community, the more likely I was to be asked about wage inequality. In middle-class communities the subject almost never came up.

Hanging around Franklin County, one begins to understand some of the reasons that people there don't spend much time worrying about economic class lines. The first and most obvious one is that although the incomes in Franklin County are lower than those in Montgomery County, living expenses are also lower—very much so. Driving from Montgomery County to Franklin County is like driving through an invisible deflation machine. Gas is thirty, forty, or even fifty cents a gallon cheaper in Franklin County. I parked at meters that accepted only pennies and nickels. When I got a parking ticket in Chambersburg, the fine was $3.00. At the department store in Greencastle there were racks and racks of blouses for $9.99.

The biggest difference is in real-estate prices. In Franklin County one can buy a nice four-bedroom split-level house with about 2,200 square feet of living space for $150,000 to $180,000. In Bethesda that same house would cost about $450,000. (According to the Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation, that house would sell for $784,000 in Greenwich, Connecticut; for $812,000 in Manhattan Beach, California; and for about

$1.23 million in Palo Alto, California.)

Some of the people I met in Franklin County were just getting by. Some were in debt and couldn't afford to buy their kids the Christmas presents they wanted to. But I didn't find many who assessed their own place in society according to their income. Rather, the people I met commonly told me that although those in affluent places like Manhattan and Bethesda might make more money and have more-exciting jobs, they are the unlucky ones, because they don't get to live in Franklin County. They don't get to enjoy the beautiful green hillsides, the friendly people, the wonderful church groups and volunteer organizations. They may be nice people and all, but they are certainly not as happy as we are.

Another thing I found is that most people don't think sociologically. They don't compare themselves with faraway millionaires who appear on their TV screens. They compare themselves with their neighbors. "One of the challenges we face is that it is hard to get people to look beyond the four-state region," Lynne Woehrle, a sociologist at Wilson College, in Chambersburg, told me, referring to the cultural zone composed of the nearby rural areas in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia. Many of the people in Franklin

County view the lifestyles of the upper class in California or Seattle much the way we in Blue America might view the lifestyle of someone in Eritrea or Mongolia—or, for that matter, Butte, Montana. Such ways of life are distant and basically irrelevant, except as a source of academic interest or titillation. One man in

Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, told me about a friend who had recently bought a car. "He paid twenty-five thousand dollars for that car!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide with amazement. "He got it fully loaded." I didn't

84 tell him that in Bethesda almost no one but a college kid pays as little as $25,000 for a car.

Franklin County is a world in which there is little obvious inequality, and the standard of living is reasonably comfortable. Youth-soccer teams are able to raise money for a summer trip to England; the Lowe's hardware superstore carries Laura Ashley carpets; many people have pools, although they are almost always above ground; the planning commission has to cope with an increasing number of cars in the county every year, even though the population is growing only gradually. But the sort of high-end experiences that are everywhere in Montgomery County are entirely missing here.

On my journeys to Franklin County, I set a goal: I was going to spend $20 on a restaurant meal. But although

I ordered the most expensive thing on the menu—steak au jus, "slippery beef pot pie," or whatever—I always failed. I began asking people to direct me to the most-expensive places in town. They would send me to Red

Lobster or Applebee's. I'd go into a restaurant that looked from the outside as if it had some pretensions— maybe a "Les Desserts" glass cooler for the key-lime pie and the tapioca pudding. I'd scan the menu and realize that I'd been beaten once again. I went through great vats of chipped beef and "seafood delight" trying to drop twenty dollars. I waded through enough surf-and-turfs and enough creamed corn to last a lifetime. I could not do it.

No wonder people in Franklin County have no class resentment or class consciousness; where they live, they can afford just about anything that is for sale. (In Montgomery County, however—and this is one of the most striking contrasts between the two counties—almost nobody can say that. In Blue America, unless you are very, very rich, there is always, all around you, stuff for sale that you cannot afford.) And if they sought to improve their situation, they would look only to themselves. If a person wants to make more money, the feeling goes, he or she had better work hard and think like an entrepreneur.

I could barely get fifteen minutes into an interview before the local work ethic came up. Karen Jewell, who helps to oversee the continuing-education program for the local Penn State branch campus, told me, "People are very vested in what they do. There's an awareness of where they fit in the organization. They feel empowered to be agents of change."

People do work extremely hard in Franklin County—even people in supposedly dead-end jobs. You can see it in little things, such as drugstore shelves. The drugstores in Bethesda look the way Rome must have looked after a visit from the Visigoths. But in Franklin County the boxes are in perfect little rows. Shelves are fully stocked, and cans are evenly spaced. The floors are less dusty than those in a microchip-processing plant. The nail clippers on a rack by the cash register are arranged with a precision that would put the Swiss to shame.

There are few unions in Franklin County. People abhor the thought of depending on welfare; they consider themselves masters of their own economic fate. "People are really into the free market here," Bill Pukmel, formerly the editor of the weekly paper in Chambersburg, told me.

In sum, I found absolutely no evidence that a Stanley Greenberg-prompted Democratic Party (or a Pat

Buchanan-led Republican Party) could mobilize white middle-class Americans on the basis of class consciousness. I found no evidence that economic differences explain much of anything about the divide between Red and Blue America.

Ted Hale, a Presbyterian minister in the western part of the county, spoke of the matter this way: "There's nowhere near as much resentment as you would expect. People have come to understand that they will struggle financially. It's part of their identity. But the economy is not their god. That's the thing some others don't understand. People value a sense of community far more than they do their portfolio." Hale, who worked at a church in East Hampton, New York, before coming to Franklin County, said that he saw a lot more economic resentment in New York.

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Hale's observations are supported by nationwide polling data. Pew has conducted a broad survey of the differences between Red and Blue states. The survey found that views on economic issues do not explain the different voting habits in the two regions. There simply isn't much of the sort of economic dissatisfaction that could drive a class-based political movement. Eighty-five percent of Americans with an annual household income between $30,000 and $50,000 are satisfied with their housing. Nearly 70 percent are satisfied with the kind of car they can afford. Roughly two thirds are satisfied with their furniture and their ability to afford a night out. These levels of satisfaction are not very different from those found in upper-middle-class America.

The Pew researchers found this sort of trend in question after question. Part of the draft of their report is titled

"Economic Divide Dissolves."

A L OT OF R ELIGION BUT F EW C RUSADERS

This leaves us with the second major hypothesis about the nature of the divide between Red and Blue

America, which comes mainly from conservatives: America is divided between two moral systems. Red

America is traditional, religious, self-disciplined, and patriotic. Blue America is modern, secular, selfexpressive, and discomfited by blatant displays of patriotism. Proponents of this hypothesis in its most radical form contend that America is in the midst of a culture war, with two opposing armies fighting on behalf of their views. The historian Gertrude Himmelfarb offered a more moderate picture in One Nation, Two Cultures

(1999), in which she argued that although America is not fatally split, it is deeply divided, between a heartland conservative population that adheres to a strict morality and a liberal population that lives by a loose one. The political journalist Michael Barone put it this way in a recent essay in National Journal : "The two Americas apparent in the 48 percent to 48 percent 2000 election are two nations of different faiths. One is observant, tradition-minded, moralistic. The other is unobservant, liberation-minded, relativistic."

The values-divide school has a fair bit of statistical evidence on its side. Whereas income is a poor predictor of voting patterns, church attendance—as Barone points out—is a pretty good one. Of those who attend religious services weekly (42 percent of the electorate), 59 percent voted for Bush, 39 percent for Gore. Of those who seldom or never attend religious services (another 42 percent), 56 percent voted for Gore, 39 percent for Bush.

The Pew data reveal significant divides on at least a few values issues. Take, for example, the statement "We will all be called before God on Judgment Day to answer for our sins." In Red states 70 percent of the people believe that statement. In Blue states only 50 percent do.

One can feel the religiosity in Franklin County after a single day's visit. It's on the bumper stickers:

WARNING: IN CASE OF RAPTURE THIS VEHICLE WILL BE UNMANNED. REAL TRUCKERS

TALK ABOUT JESUS ON CHANNEL 10. It's on the radio. The airwaves are filled not with the usual mixture of hit tunes but with evangelicals preaching the gospel. The book section of Wal-Mart features titles such as The Beginner's Guide to Fasting, Deepen Your Conversation with God , and Are We Living in the End

Times? Some general stores carry the "Heroes of the Faith" series, which consists of small biographies of

William Carey, George Müller, and other notable missionaries, ministers, and theologians—notable in Red

America, that is, but largely unknown where I live.

Chambersburg and its vicinity have eighty-five churches and one synagogue. The Bethesda-Chevy Chase area, which has a vastly greater population, has forty-five churches and five synagogues. Professors at the local college in Chambersburg have learned not to schedule public lectures on Wednesday nights, because everybody is at prayer meetings.

Events that are part of daily life in Franklin County are unheard of in most of Blue America. One United

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Brethren minister told me that he is asked to talk about morals in the public school as part of the health and sex-education curriculum, and nobody raises a fuss. A number of schools have a "Bible release program," whereby elementary school students are allowed to leave school for an hour a week to attend Bible-study meetings. At an elementary school in Waynesboro the Gideons used to distribute Bibles to any students who wanted them. (That ended after the village agnostic threatened to simultaneously distribute a booklet called

God Is Just Pretend .)

There are healing ministries all throughout Franklin County, and even mainstream denominations have healing teams on hand after Sunday services. As in most places where evangelism is strong, the locals are fervently pro-Israel. Almost every minister I visited has mementos in his study from visits to Jerusalem. A few had lived in Israel for extended periods and spoke Hebrew. One delivered a tirade against CNN for its bias against the Jewish state. One or two pointed out (without quite bragging) that whereas some Jewish groups had canceled trips to Israel since the upsurge in intifada violence, evangelical groups were still going.

David Rawley, a United Brethren minister in Green castle, spoke for many of the social conservatives I met when he said that looking at the mainstream Hollywood culture made him feel that he was "walking against the current." "The tremendous force of culture means we can either float or fight," Rawley said. "Should you drift or stand on a rock? I tell people there is a rock we can hang on—the word of God. That rock will never give way. That rock's never going to move." When I asked Rawley what he thought of big-city culture, he said, "The individual is swallowed up by the largeness of the city. I see a world that doesn't want to take responsibility for itself. They have the babies but they decide they're not going to be the daddies. I'd really have to cling to the rock if I lived there."

I met with Rawley at the height of the scandal involving Representative Gary Condit and the missing intern

Chandra Levy. Levy's mother was quoted in The Washington Times as calling herself a "Heinz 57 mutt" when it came to religion. "All religions tie to similar beliefs," she said. "I believe in spirituality and God. I'm Jewish.

I think we have a wonderful religion. I'm also Christian. I do believe in Jesus, too." The contrast between her

New Age approach to spirituality and Rawley's Red America one could not have been greater.

Life is complicated, however. Yes, there are a lot of churches in Franklin County; there are also a lot of tattoo parlors. And despite all the churches and bumper stickers, Franklin County doesn't seem much different from anywhere else. People go to a few local bars to hang out after softball games. Teenagers drive recklessly along fast-food strips. Young women in halter tops sometimes prowl in the pool halls. The local college has a gay-and-lesbian group. One conservative clergyman I spoke with estimated that 10 percent of his congregants are gay. He believes that church is the place where one should be able to leave the controversy surrounding this sort of issue behind. Another described how his congregation united behind a young man who was dying of AIDS.

Sex seems to be on people's minds almost as much as it is anywhere else. Conservative evangelical circles have their own sex manuals (Tim LaHaye wrote one of them before he moved on to the "Left Behind" series), which appear to have had some effect: according to a 1994 study conducted by researchers at the University of Chicago, conservative Protestant women have more orgasms than any other group.

Franklin County is probably a bit more wholesome than most suburbs in Blue America. (The notion that deviance and corruption lie underneath the seeming conformism of suburban middle-class life, popular in

Hollywood and in creative-writing workshops, is largely nonsense.) But it has most of the problems that afflict other parts of the country: heroin addiction, teen pregnancy, and so on. Nobody I spoke to felt part of a pristine culture that is exempt from the problems of the big cities. There are even enough spectacular crimes in Franklin County to make a devoted New York Post reader happy. During one of my visits the front pages of the local papers were ablaze with the tale of a young woman arrested for assault and homicide after shooting her way through a Veterans of the Vietnam War post. It was reported that she had intended to rob the post for

87 money to run away with her lesbian girlfriend.

If the problems are the same as in the rest of America, so are many of the solutions. Franklin County residents who find themselves in trouble go to their clergy first, but they are often referred to psychologists and therapists as part of their recovery process. Prozac is a part of life.

Almost nobody I spoke with understood, let alone embraced, the concept of a culture war. Few could see themselves as fighting such a war, in part because few have any idea where the boundary between the two sides lies. People in Franklin County may have a clear sense of what constitutes good or evil (many people in

Blue America have trouble with the very concept of evil), but they will say that good and evil are in all neighborhoods, as they are in all of us. People take the Scriptures seriously but have no interest in imposing them on others. One finds little crusader zeal in Franklin County. For one thing, people in small towns don't want to offend people whom they'll be encountering on the street for the next fifty years. Potentially controversial subjects are often played down. "We would never take a stance on gun control or abortion," Sue

Hadden, the editor of the Waynesboro paper, told me. Whenever I asked what the local view of abortion was,

I got the same response: "We don't talk about it much," or "We try to avoid that subject." Bill Pukmel, the former Chambersburg newspaper editor, says, "A majority would be opposed to abortion around here, but it wouldn't be a big majority." It would simply be uncivil to thrust such a raw disagreement in people's faces.

William Harter, a Presbyterian minister in Chambersburg, spans the divide between Red and Blue America.

Harter was raised on a farm near Buffalo. He went to the prestigious Deerfield Academy, in Massachusetts, before getting a bachelor's degree in history from Williams College, a master's in education from Harvard, and, after serving for a while in the military, a Ph.D. in Judaism and Christian origins from the Union

Theological Seminary, in Manhattan. He has lived in Chambersburg for the past twenty-four years, and he says that the range of opinion in Franklin County is much wider than it was in Cambridge or New York.

"We're more authentically pluralistic here," he told me.

I found Harter and the other preachers in Franklin County especially interesting to talk with. That was in part because the ones I met were fiercely intelligent and extremely well read, but also because I could see them wrestling with the problem of how to live according to the Scriptures while being inclusive and respectful of others' freedoms. For example, many of them struggle over whether it is right to marry a couple who are already living together. This would not be a consideration in most of Blue America.

"Some of the evangelicals won't marry [such couples]," Harter told me. "Others will insist that they live apart for six months before they'll marry them. But that's not the real world. These couples often don't understand the theological basis for not living together. Even if you don't condone their situations, you have to start where they are—help them have loyal marriages."

Divorce is tolerated much more than it used to be. And none of the ministers I spoke with said that they would condemn a parishioner who was having an affair. They would confront the parishioner, but with the goal of gently bringing that person back to Jesus Christ. "How could I love that person if I didn't?" Patrick Jones, of the United Brethren's King Street Church, in Chambersburg, asked. People in Franklin County are contemptuous of Bill Clinton and his serial infidelities, but they are not necessarily fans of Kenneth Starr—at least not the Kenneth Starr the media portrayed. They don't like public scolds.

Roger Murray, a Pentecostal minister in Mercersburg, whose father was also a Pentecostal minister, exemplifies the way in which many church authorities are torn by the sometimes conflicting desires to uphold authority and respect personal freedom. "My father would preach about what you could do and what you couldn't do," Murray recalls. "He would preach about smoking, about TV, about ladies who dress provocatively, against divorce." As a boy, Murray used to go visit his uncle, and he would sit in another room when his uncle's family watched television. "I was sure they were going to hell," he told me. But now he

88 would never dream of telling people how to live. For one thing, his congregants wouldn't defer. And he is in no rush to condemn others. "I don't think preaching against homosexuality is what you should do," he told me.

"A positive message works better."

Like most of the people I met in Franklin County, Murray regards such culture warriors as Jerry Falwell and

Pat Robertson as loose cannons, and televangelists as being far too interested in raising money. "I get pretty disgusted with Christian TV," he said. And that was before Falwell and Robertson made their notorious comments about the attacks of September 11 being a judgment from God. When I asked locals about those remarks, they answered with words like "disgusting," "horrendous," and "horrible." Almost no one in the county voted for Pat Buchanan; he was simply too contentious.

Certainly Red and Blue America disagree strongly on some issues, such as homosexuality and abortion. But for the most part the disagreements are not large. For example, the Pew researchers asked Americans to respond to the statement "There are clear guidelines about what's good or evil that apply to everyone regardless of their situation." Forty-three percent of people in Blue states and 49 percent of people in Red states agreed. Forty-seven percent of Blue America and 55 percent of Red America agreed with the statement

"I have old-fashioned values about family and marriage." Seventy percent of the people in Blue states and 77 percent of the people in Red states agreed that "too many children are being raised in day-care centers these days." These are small gaps. And, the Pew researchers found, there is no culture gap at all among suburban voters. In a Red state like Arizona suburban voters' opinions are not much different from those in a Blue state like Connecticut. The starkest differences that exist are between people in cities and people in rural areas, especially rural areas in the South.

The conservatism I found in Franklin County is not an ideological or a reactionary conservatism. It is a temperamental conservatism. People place tremendous value on being agreeable, civil, and kind. They are happy to sit quietly with one another. They are hesitant to stir one another's passions. They appreciate what they have. They value continuity and revere the past. They work hard to reinforce community bonds. Their newspapers are filled with items about fundraising drives, car washes, bake sales, penny-collection efforts, and auxiliary thrift shops. Their streets are lined with lodges: VFW, Rotarians, Elks, Moose. Luncheons go on everywhere. Retired federal employees will be holding their weekly luncheon at one restaurant, Harley riders at another. I became fascinated by a group called the Tuscarora Longbeards, a local chapter of something called the National Wild Turkey Federation. The Longbeards go around to schools distributing Wild About

Turkey Education boxes, which contain posters, lesson plans, and CD-ROMs on turkey preservation.

These are the sorts of things that really mobilize people in Franklin County. Building community and preserving local ways are far more important to them than any culture war.

T HE E GO C URTAIN

The best explanation of the differences between people in Montgomery and Franklin Counties has to do with sensibility, not class or culture. If I had to describe the differences between the two sensibilities in a single phrase, it would be conception of the self. In Red America the self is small. People declare in a million ways,

"I am normal. Nobody is better, nobody is worse. I am humble before God." In Blue America the self is more commonly large. People say in a million ways, "I am special. I have carved out my own unique way of life. I am independent. I make up my own mind."

In Red America there is very little one-upmanship. Nobody tries to be avant-garde in choosing a wardrobe.

The chocolate-brown suits and baggy denim dresses hanging in local department stores aren't there by accident; people conspicuously want to be seen as not trying to dress to impress.

For a person in Blue America the blandness in Red America can be a little oppressive. But it's hard not to be

89 struck by the enormous social pressure not to put on airs. If a Franklin County resident drove up to church one day in a shiny new Lexus, he would face huge waves of disapproval. If one hired a nanny, people would wonder who died and made her queen.

In Franklin County people don't go looking for obscure beers to demonstrate their connoisseurship. They wear

T-shirts and caps with big-brand names on them—Coke, McDonald's, Chevrolet. In Bethesda people prefer cognoscenti brands—the Black Dog restaurant, or the independent bookstore Politics and Prose. In Franklin

County it would be an affront to the egalitarian ethos to put a Princeton sticker on the rear window of one's car. In Montgomery County some proud parents can barely see through their back windows for all the Ivy

League stickers. People in Franklin County say they felt comfortable voting for Bush, because if he came to town he wouldn't act superior to anybody else; he could settle into a barber's chair and fit right in. They couldn't stand Al Gore, because they thought he'd always be trying to awe everyone with his accomplishments. People in Montgomery County tended to admire Gore's accomplishments. They were leery of Bush, because for most of his life he seemed not to have achieved anything.

I sometimes think that Franklin County takes its unpretentiousness a little too far. I wouldn't care to live there, because I'd find it too unchanging. I prefer the subtle and not-so-subtle status climbing on my side of the Ego

Curtain—it's more entertaining. Still, I can't help respecting the genuine modesty of Franklin County people.

It shows up strikingly in data collected by Mediamark Research. In survey after survey, residents of conservative Red America come across as humbler than residents of liberal Blue America. About half of those who describe themselves as "very conservative" agree with the statement "I have more ability than most people," but nearly two thirds of those who describe themselves as "very liberal" agree. Only 53 percent of conservatives agree with the statement "I consider myself an intellectual," but 75 percent of liberals do. Only

23 percent of conservatives agree with the statement "I must admit that I like to show off," whereas 43 percent of liberals do.

A C AFETERIA N ATION

These differences in sensibility don't in themselves mean that America has become a fundamentally divided nation. As the sociologist Seymour Martin Lipset pointed out in The First New Nation (1963), achievement and equality are the two rival themes running throughout American history. Most people, most places, and most epochs have tried to intertwine them in some way.

Moreover, after bouncing between Montgomery and Franklin Counties, I became convinced that a lot of our fear that America is split into rival camps arises from mistaken notions of how society is shaped. Some of us still carry the old Marxist categories in our heads. We think that society is like a layer cake, with the upper class on top. And, like Marx, we tend to assume that wherever there is class division there is conflict. Or else we have a sort of Crossfire model in our heads: where would people we meet sit if they were guests on that show?

But traveling back and forth between the two counties was not like crossing from one rival camp to another. It was like crossing a high school cafeteria. Remember high school? There were nerds, jocks, punks, bikers, techies, druggies, God Squadders, drama geeks, poets, and Dungeons & Dragons weirdoes. All these cliques were part of the same school: they had different sensibilities; sometimes they knew very little about the people in the other cliques; but the jocks knew there would always be nerds, and the nerds knew there would always be jocks. That's just the way life is.

And that's the way America is. We are not a divided nation. We are a cafeteria nation. We form cliques (call them communities, or market segments, or whatever), and when they get too big, we form subcliques. Some people even get together in churches that are "nondenominational" or in political groups that are

"independent." These are cliques built around the supposed rejection of cliques.

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We live our lives by migrating through the many different cliques associated with the activities we enjoy and the goals we have set for ourselves. Our freedom comes in the interstices; we can choose which set of standards to live by, and when.

We should remember that there is generally some distance between cliques—a buffer zone that separates one set of aspirations from another. People who are happy within their cliques feel no great compulsion to go out and reform other cliques. The jocks don't try to change the nerds. David Rawley, the Greencastle minister who felt he was clinging to a rock, has been to New York City only once in his life. "I was happy to get back home," he told me. "It's a planet I'm a little scared of. I have no desire to go back."

What unites the two Americas, then, is our mutual commitment to this way of life—to the idea that a person is not bound by his class, or by the religion of his fathers, but is free to build a plurality of connections for himself. We are participants in the same striving process, the same experimental journey.

Never has this been more apparent than in the weeks following the September 11 attacks. Before then

Montgomery County people and Franklin County people gave little thought to one another: an attitude of benign neglect toward other parts of the country generally prevailed. But the events of that day generated what one of my lunch mates in Franklin County called a primal response. Our homeland was under attack.

Suddenly there was a positive sense that we Americans are all bound together—a sense that, despite some little fissures here and there, has endured.

On September 11 people in Franklin County flocked to the institutions that are so strong there—the churches and the American Legion and the VFW posts. Houses of worship held spontaneous prayer services and large ecumenical services. In the weeks since, firemen, veterans, and Scouts have held rallies. There have been blood drives. Just about every service organization in the county—and there are apparently thousands—has mobilized to raise funds or ship teddy bears. The rescue squad and the Salvation Army branch went to New

York to help.

Early every morning Ted Hale, the Presbyterian minister who once worked in East Hampton, goes to one of the local restaurants and sits as the regulars cycle through. One of the things that has struck him since the attacks is how little partisan feeling is left. "I expected to hear a certain amount of Clinton bashing, for creating the mess in which this could take place," he told me in October. "But there's been absolutely none of that." Instead Hale has been deluged with questions—about Islam, about why God restrains himself in the face of evil, about how people could commit such acts.

The area's churches have not been monolithic in their responses. Many of the most conservative churches— the Mennonites and the Brethren, for example—have pacifist traditions. Bill Harter, in contrast, told his congregation during a recent sermon that the pacifist course is not the right one. "We must face the fact that there is a power of evil loose in the universe, which is dedicated to attacking all that is good, all that comes from God," he said. This evil, Harter continued, has cloaked itself in a perverted form of one of the world's major faiths. Citing the Protestant theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, he reminded his congregants that there is no sinless way to defend ourselves against this hostile ideology. But defend we must. "We must humbly make our choice while recognizing that we must constantly turn to God for forgiveness," he told them.

The churches and synagogues in Bethesda, too, have been struggling. Over the Jewish High Holy Days, I heard of three synagogues in which the sermon was interrupted by a member of the congregation. In one instance the rabbi had said that it is always impossible to know where good and evil lie. A man rose up angrily to declare that in this case that sentiment was nonsense.

Most people in my part of Blue America know few who will be called on to fight in the war. In Franklin

County military service is common. Many families have an enlisted son or daughter, and many more have a relative in the reserves or the National Guard. Franklin County is engaged in an urgent discussion, largely absent where I live, about how to fill in for the reservists called up for active duty.

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Still, there's an attitude of determination in both places. If I had to boil down all the conversations I have had in Franklin and Montgomery Counties since September 11, the essence would be this: A horrible thing happened. We're going to deal with it. We're going to restore order. We got through Pearl Harbor. We're going to get through this. "There is no flaccidity," Harter observed, in words that apply to both communities.

If the September 11 attacks rallied people in both Red and Blue America, they also neutralized the political and cultural leaders who tend to exploit the differences between the two. Americans are in no mood for a class struggle or a culture war. The aftermath of the attacks has been a bit like a national Sabbath, taking us out of our usual pleasures and distractions and reminding us what is really important. Over time the shock will dissipate. But in important ways the psychological effects will linger, just as the effects of John F. Kennedy's assassination have lingered. The early evidence still holds: although there are some real differences between

Red and Blue America, there is no fundamental conflict. There may be cracks, but there is no chasm. Rather, there is a common love for this nation—one nation in the end.

Unit III Political Parties, Interest Groups

92

George Washington is the only president who didn't blame the previous administration for his troubles. ~Author Unknown

Assignments

Study Guide for Chapter 7 and 8

AP Govt Debate #3

Persuasive Essay

Election Project

Assessments

Unit III Exam Ch 7 & 8- Multiple Choice

Secondary Readings

Jefferson- A Profession of Political Faith

93

Chapter 7 Study Questions

Political Parties

1.

Define the term political party.

2.

In what ways are American political parties weak? (This is an extremely important point so be sure that you understand it and can explain all the reasons. This concept will turn up again and again in this class.) This would be a good question for writing a detailed answer. As you read through the chapter, any time you see a mention of weakened parties, add to this list. Then leave room for more notes or plan to add more later since we’ll be talking about this all unit (and year).

3.

Briefly summarize the differences between political parties in the United States and in Europe. You can make a bullet point chart.

4.

Briefly trace the development of the party system through its four periods, and give reasons for why the parties have been in decline since the New Deal period. Do not go overboard in your notes on the four party systems; just make sure you’re familiar with the parties and the terms and the chronology. Basically, the important thing is that you understand the broad pattern in Figure 7.2 on p. 162.

5.

Describe the structure of the major political parties, making sure you understand the roles of the national committees, congressional committees, and the national chairmen.

6.

What has been the difference between the two parties in terms of structure and organization?

7.

How have changes in how they choose delegates affected the last few Democratic nominating conventions?

Take note of the 1972 McGovern changes (known as the McGovern-Frasier Commission) and the 1981 Hunt

Commission. What were the effects of these changes?

8.

What is a political party machine? How has the power of party machines been weakened? What were some of the positive aspects of party machines?

9.

Define and give examples of an ideological party.

10.

How does having a personal following reflect a weakened party system?

11.

What explanations does the book give for the persistence of the two-party system?

12.

Explain why minor parties form, and discuss different kinds of parties.

13.

Analyze why third parties are so rarely successful.

14.

Describe some of the issue differences between delegates at Democratic and Republican conventions, and indicate whether there are major differences between the parties. Compare these differences with those between delegates of each party and average voters.

caucus

Congressional campaign committee

Critical or realigning periods

Ideological party

Mugwumps or progressives

National chairman

National committee

National convention

Office-bloc ballot

Party column ballot

Terms to Know

Personal following

Plurality system

Political machine

Political party

Solidary incentives

Split Tickets

Sponsored party

Straight tickets

Superdelegates

Two party system

94

95

Chapter 8 Study Questions

Elections and Campaigns

1.

Examine the differences between the party-oriented campaigns of the nineteenth century and the Candidatesoriented campaigns of today, contrasting the major elements of successful campaigns.

2.

Discuss the importance of campaign funding to election outcomes.

3.

What are the major sources of this funding under current law?

4.

How successful has reform legislation been in removing improper monetary influences elections in the U.S.?

5.

Define the term realigning election and discuss the major examples of such elections in the past.

6.

Describe what Democrats and Republicans each must do to put together a successful coalition to win an election.

7.

Outline the major arguments on the question of whether elections do or do not result in major changes in public policy in the United States.

8.

In A Profession of Political Faith, Thomas Jefferson outlines an early version of a political platform, in essence what he stood for politically. What were the major political ideas that would have made up Jefferson’s platform and would they still be valid topics in modern politics?

Blanket primary

Closed primary

Coattails

General election

Gerrymandering

Incumbent

Independent expenditure

Malapportionment

Open primary

Political action committee (PAC)

Terms to Know

Position issue

Presidential primary

Primary election

Prospective voting

Retrospective voting

Runoff primary

Soft money

Sophomore surge

Valence issue

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Premise: Congratulations ! Through your hard work and dedication, you’ve achieved success in your private career, and now you want to spread your talents to the public sector. You’ve decided to run for political office- specifically Yolo county’s representative to the State Assembly. As a local Assembly person, you will need to appeal to the widest segment of the population, so you will have to research some controversial issues, so you can debate intelligently with your political opponents.

Persuasive Essay (50 points)

 Your essay must be at least 5 typed pages (12 point font, double spaced) in length.

 You should introduce yourself with a brief description of your personality, personal history, and political history. Why are you the best person for this position?

 You must discuss your position of at least o Education

6 of the following issues: o o o o o o o o o o

Tax Cuts

Prescription Drug Plans for Senior Citizens

Gun Control

Death Penalty

Abortion

State of the Armed Forces

American Intervention in Foreign Countries

Environment

Illegal Immigration

Any other controversial topic you may come across in your research

Where do you stand on each of these issues? What are the strengths and weaknesses of this position?

Why is your position more appropriate than opponent's?

You must also mention what type of person would be your political opposite. Where do they stand on the issues you researched? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Why are they not the best candidate for this position?

Within your essay, you must PERSUADE your reader to vote for you. The reader needs to know

WHY you are the one to vote for and WHY other candidates are the wrong person to vote for. You must be CONVINCING of your arguments.

Campaign Poster (25 points) Create A Campaign Poster for Yourself- It should have the following components:

1.

Your Name

2.

For what office you are campaigning

3.

Your Political Slogan

4.

Your Party Affiliation

5.

Position Views

Campaign Speech- You are going to give a one minute introductory campaign speech, explaining your political positions, and why the people (the class) should vote for you. There will be several speeches in a row, followed by an open forum debate on the issues that you researched. Each person will have a maximum of 30 seconds to state their position on each issue, and then it will be opened to group debate.

97

Jefferson, Thomas

(spelling left in its original form)

A PROFESSION OF POLITICAL FAITH

To Elbridge Gerry

Philadelphia, Jan. 26, 1799

MY DEAR SIR, -- Your favor of Nov. 12 was safely delivered to me by Mr. Binney, but not till Dec. 28, as

I arrived here only three days before that date. It was received with great satisfaction. Our very long intimacy as fellow-laborers in the same cause, the recent expressions of mutual confidence which had preceded your mission, the interesting course which that had taken, & particularly & personally as it regarded yourself, made me anxious to hear from you on your return. I was the more so too, as I had myself during the whole of your absence, as well as since your return, been a constant butt for every shaft of calumny which malice & falsehood could form, & the presses, public speakers, or private letters disseminate. One of these, too, was of a nature to touch yourself; as if, wanting confidence in your efforts, I had been capable of usurping powers committed to you, & authorizing negotiations private & collateral to yours. The real truth is, that though Dr

Logan, the pretended missionary, about 4. or 5. days before he sailed for Hamburg, told me he was going there, & thence to Paris, & asked & received from me a certificate of his citizenship, character, & circumstances of life, merely as a protection, should he be molested on his journey, in the present turbulent & suspicious state of Europe, yet I had been led to consider his object as relative to his private affairs; and tho', from an intimacy of some standing, he knew well my wishes for peace and my political sentiments in general, he nevertheless received then no particular declaration of them, no authority to communicate them to any mortal, nor to speak to any one in my name, or in anybody's name, on that, or on any other subject whatever; nor did I write by him a scrip of a pen to any person whatever. This he has himself honestly & publicly declared since his return; & from his well-known character & every other circumstance, every candid man must perceive that his enterprise was dictated by his own enthusiasm, without consultation or communication with any one; that he acted in Paris on his own ground, & made his own way. Yet to give some color to his proceedings, which might implicate the republicans in general, & myself particularly, they have not been ashamed to bring forward a suppositious paper, drawn by one of their own party in the name of Logan, and falsely pretended to have been presented by him to the government of France; counting that the bare mention of my name therein, would connect that in the eye of the public with this transaction. In confutation of these and all future calumnies, by way of anticipation, I shall make to you a profession of my political faith; in confidence that you will consider every future imputation on me of a contrary complexion, as bearing on its front the mark of falsehood & calumny.

I do then, with sincere zeal, wish an inviolable preservation of our present federal constitution, according to the true sense in which it was adopted by the States, that in which it was advocated by it's friends, & not that which it's enemies apprehended, who therefore became it's enemies; and I am opposed to the monarchising it's features by the forms of it's administration, with a view to conciliate a first transition to a President & Senate for life, & from that to a hereditary tenure of these offices, & thus to worm out the elective principle. am for preserving to the States the powers not yielded by them to the Union, & to the legislature of the Union it's constitutional share in the division of powers; and I am not for transferring all the powers of the States to the general government, & all those of that government to the Executive branch. I am for a government rigorously frugal & simple, applying all the possible savings of the public revenue to the discharge of the national debt; and not for a multiplication of officers & salaries merely to make partisans, & for increasing, by every device, the public debt, on the principle of it's being a public blessing. I am for relying, for internal defence, on our militia solely, till actual invasion, and for such a naval force only as may protect our coasts and harbors from such depredations as we have experienced; and not for a standing army in time of peace, which may overawe the public sentiment; nor for a navy, which, by it's own expenses and the eternal wars in which it will implicate us, will grind us with public burdens, & sink us under them. I am for free commerce with all nations; political connection with none; & little or no diplomatic establishment. And I am not for linking

98 ourselves by new treaties with the quarrels of Europe; entering that field of slaughter to preserve their balance, or joining in the confederacy of kings to war against the principles of liberty. I am for freedom of religion, & against all maneuvres to bring about a legal ascendancy of one sect over another: for freedom of the press, & against all violations of the constitution to silence by force & not by reason the complaints or criticisms, just or unjust, of our citizens against the conduct of their agents. And I am for encouraging the progress of science in all it's branches; and not for raising a hue and cry against the sacred name of philosophy; for awing the human mind by stories of raw-head & bloody bones to a distrust of its own vision, & to repose implicitly on that of others; to go backwards instead of forwards to look for improvement; to believe that government, religion, morality, & every other science were in the highest perfection in ages of the darkest ignorance, and that nothing can ever be devised more perfect than what was established by our forefathers. To these I will add, that I was a sincere well-wisher to the success of the French revolution, and still wish it may end in the establishment of a free & well-ordered republic; but I have not been insensible under the atrocious depredations they have committed on our commerce. The first object of my heart is my own country. In that is embarked my family, my fortune, & my own existence. I have not one farthing of interest, nor one fibre of attachment out of it, nor a single motive of preference of any one nation to another, but in proportion as they are more or less friendly to us. But though deeply feeling the injuries of France, I did not think war the surest means of redressing them. I did believe, that a mission sincerely disposed to preserve peace, would obtain for us a peaceable & honorable settlement & retribution; and I appeal to you to say, whether this might not have been obtained, if either of your colleagues had been of the same sentiment with yourself.

These, my friend, are my principles; they are unquestionably the principles of the great body of our fellow citizens, and I know there is not one of them which is not yours also. In truth, we never differed but on one ground, the funding system; and as, from the moment of it's being adopted by the constituted authorities, I became religiously principled in the sacred discharge of it to the uttermost farthing, we are united now even on that single ground of difference.

I turn now to your inquiries. The enclosed paper will answer one of them. But you also ask for such political information as may be possessed by me, & interesting to yourself in regard to your embassy. As a proof of my entire confidence in you, I shall give it fully & candidly. When Pinckney, Marshall, and Dana, were nominated to settle our differences with France, it was suspected by many, from what was understood of their dispositions, that their mission would not result in a settlement of differences, but would produce circumstances tending to widen the breach, and to provoke our citizens to consent to a war with that nation, & union with England. Dana's resignation & your appointment gave the first gleam of hope of a peaceable issue to the mission. For it was believed that you were sincerely disposed to accommodation; & it was not long after your arrival there, before symptoms were observed of that difference of views which had been suspected to exist. In the meantime, however, the aspect of our government towards the French republic had become so ardent, that the people of America generally took the alarm. To the southward, their apprehensions were early excited. In the Eastern States also, they at length began to break out. Meetings were held in many of your towns, & addresses to the government agreed on in opposition to war. The example was spreading like a wildfire. Other meetings were called in other places, & a general concurrence of sentiment against the apparent inclinations of the government was imminent; when, most critically for the government, the despatches of Octr 22, prepared by your colleague Marshall, with a view to their being made public, dropped into their laps. It was truly a God-send to them, & they made the most of it. Many thousands of copies were printed & dispersed gratis, at the public expence; & the zealots for war co-operated so heartily, that there were instances of single individuals who printed & dispersed 10. or 12,000 copies at their own expence. The odiousness of the corruption supposed in those papers excited a general & high indignation among the people.

Unexperienced in such maneuvres, they did not permit themselves even to suspect that the turpitude of private swindlers might mingle itself unobserved, & give it's own hue to the communications of the French government, of whose participation there was neither proof nor probability. It served, however, for a time, the purpose intended. The people, in many places, gave a loose to the expressions of their warm indignation, & of their honest preference of war to dishonor. The fever was long & successfully kept up, and in the meantime,

war measures as ardently crowded. Still, however, as it was known that your colleagues were coming away, and yourself to stay, though disclaiming a separate power to conclude a treaty, it was hoped by the lovers of peace, that a project of treaty would have been prepared, ad referendum, on principles which would have

99 satisfied our citizens, & overawed any bias of the government towards a different policy. But the expedition of the Sophia, and, as was supposed, the suggestions of the person charged with your despatches, & his probable misrepresentations of the real wishes of the American people, prevented these hopes. They had then only to look forward to your return for such information, either through the Executive, or from yourself, as might present to our view the other side of the medal. The despatches of Oct 22, 97, had presented one face.

That information, to a certain degree, is now received, & the public will see from your correspondence with

Taleyrand, that France, as you testify, "was sincere and anxious to obtain a reconciliation, not wishing us to break the British treaty, but only to give her equivalent stipulations; and in general was disposed to a liberal treaty." And they will judge whether mr. Pickering's report shews an inflexible determination to believe no declarations the French government can make, nor any opinion which you, judging on the spot & from actual view, can give of their sincerity, and to meet their designs of peace with operations of war. The alien & sedition acts have already operated in the South as powerful sedatives of the X. Y. Z. inflammation. In your quarter, where violations of principle are either less regarded or more concealed, the direct tax is likely to have the same effect, & to excite inquiries into the object of the enormous expences & taxes we are bringing on. And your information supervening, that we might have a liberal accommodation if we would, there can be little doubt of the reproduction of that general movement, by the despatches of Oct. 22. And tho' small checks

& stops, like Logan's pretended embassy, may be thrown in the way from time to time, & may a little retard it's motion, yet the tide is already turned, and will sweep before it all the feeble obstacles of art. The unquestionable republicanism of the American mind will break through the mist under which it has been clouded, and will oblige it's agents to reform the principles & practices of their administration.

You suppose that you have been abused by both parties. As far as has come to my knowledge, you are misinformed. I have never seen or heard a sentence of blame uttered against you by the republicans; unless we were so to construe their wishes that you had more boldly co-operated in a project of a treaty, and would more explicitly state, whether there was in your colleages that flexibility, which persons earnest after peace would have practised? Whether, on the contrary, their demeanor was not cold, reserved, and distant, at least, if not backward? And whether, if they had yielded to those informal conferences which Taleyrand seems to have courted, the liberal accommodation you suppose might not have been effected, even with their agency? Your fellow-citizens think they have a right to full information, in a case of such great concern to them. It is their sweat which is to earn all the expences of the war, and their blood which is to flow in expiation of the causes of it. It may be in your power to save them from these miseries by full communications and unrestrained details, postponing motives of delicacy to those of duty. It rests for you to come forward independently; to take your stand on the high ground of your own character; to disregard calumny, and to be borne above it on the shoulders of your grateful fellow citizens; or to sink into the humble oblivion, to which the Federalists

(self-called) have secretly condemned you; and even to be happy if they will indulge you with oblivion, while they have beamed on your colleagues meridian splendor. Pardon me, my dear Sir, if my expressions are strong. My feelings are so much more so, that it is with difficulty reduce them even to the tone I use. If you doubt the dispositions towards you, look into the papers, on both sides, for the toasts which were given throughout the States on the 4th of July. You will there see whose hearts were with you, and whose were ulcerated against you. Indeed, as soon as it was known that you had consented to stay in Paris, there was no measure observed in the execrations of the war party. They openly wished you might be guillotined, or sent to

Cayenne, or anything else. And these expressions were finally stifled from a principle of policy only, & to prevent you from being urged to a justification of yourself. From this principle alone proceed the silence and cold respect they observe towards you. Still, they cannot prevent at times the flames bursting from under the embers, as mr. Pickering's letters, report, & conversations testify, as well as the indecent expressions respecting you, indulged by some of them in the debate on these despatches. These sufficiently show that you are never more to be honored or trusted by them, and that they await to crush you for ever, only till they can do it without danger to themselves.

When I sat down to answer your letter, but two courses presented themselves, either to say nothing or everything; for half confidences are not in my character. I could not hesitate which was due to you. I have unbosomed myself fully; & it will certainly be highly gratifying if I receive like confidence from you. For even if we differ in principle more than I believe we do, you & I know too well the texture of the human mind, & the slipperiness of human reason, to consider differences of opinion otherwise than differences of form or feature. Integrity of views more than their soundness, is the basis of esteem. I shall follow your

100 direction in conveying this by a private hand; tho' know not as yet when one worthy of confidence will occur.

And my trust in you leaves me without a fear that this letter, meant as a confidential communication of my impressions, will ever go out of your hand, or be suffered in anywise to commit my name. Indeed, besides the accidents which might happen to it even under your care, considering the accident of death to which you are liable, I think it safest to pray you, after reading it as often as you please, to destroy at least the 2d & 3d leaves. The 1st contains principles only, which I fear not to avow; but the 2d & 3d contain facts stated for your information, and which, though sacredly conformable to my firm belief, yet would be galling to some, & expose me to illiberal attacks. I therefore repeat my prayer to burn the 2d & 3d leaves. And did we ever expect to see the day, when, breathing nothing but sentiments of love to our country & it's freedom & happiness, our correspondence must be as secret as if we were hatching it's destruction! Adieu, my friend, and accept my sincere & affectionate salutations. I need not add my signature.

Unit IV Interest Groups and Media

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“We are so cleverly manipulated and influenced by the media and establishments on both the right and left, that the truth has become hopelessly lost in semantics.”

Jules Carlysle

Assignments

Chapter 9 and 10 Study Guides

Prompted Essay

Interest Groups Project

Reform the Media Project

Assessments

Unit IV Exam- Chapters 9 & 10- Three FRQ’s

Secondary Readings

Fallows- Why Americans Hate the Media

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Chapter 9 Study Questions

Interest Groups

1.

Why are interest groups so common in this country?

2.

The book gives four factors that account for the rise of interest groups? Summarize those factors and give examples for each.

3.

Define what an interest group is and what its purpose is. What are the differences between institutional interests and membership interests? Give examples of each.

4.

Identify and define the incentives to join a mass-membership organization.

5.

Define what a public-interest lobby is and give an example.

6.

What is the difference between the staff and membership of an interest group?

7.

The book discusses the environmental, feminist, and union movements. Outline or summarize the information on each. (Bullet points are fine.)

8.

How do interest groups get their funds?

9.

Summarize the five activities that the book lists for how interest groups work to influence policy? Give examples for each activity. Assess how successful each type of activity is in influencing policy. This is very important so be sure that you understand this section.

10.

What were the weaknesses of the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946 and why did Congress decide to enact a new law in 1995?

11.

How did the 1995 Lobbyist Disclosure Act strengthen the federal government’s regulation of interest groups?

You should be familiar with the following Interest Groups. Basically, I want you to know the types of issues these groups are involved in and whether they are generally supporters of liberals or conservatives, or are non-ideological. If

I gave you an issue, you should know which interest groups would be involved. The groups with an asterisk by them are ones you all need to know. There are, of course, many more organizations, but one must draw a line somewhere.

Use this list to pick an interest group for your assignment.

AARP – American Association of

Retired People*

Christian Coalition* NARAL – National Abortion Rights

Action League*

ACLU – American Civil Liberties

Union*

AFL-CIO *

Club for Growth NEA - National Education

Association*

Council on American-Islamic Relations National Resources Defense Council

ABA - American Bar Association* Emily’s List

American Conservative Union Environmental Defense Fund

NOW *

NRA – National Rifle Association*

American Farm Bureau Family Research Council

Handgun Control, Inc.

PETA – People for the Ethical

Treatment of Animals

Public Citizen* AIPAC - American Israel Public

Affairs Committee

AMA*

ATLA - Association of Trial

Lawyers of America

The Business Roundtable

Moveon.org

NAACP – National Association of

Colored People*

NAM - National Association of

Manufacturers*

Sierra Club*

US Chamber of Commerce

Veterans of Foreign Wars*

Lobby lobbyist interest group incentive solidary incentives material incentives

Terms to Know purposive incentive ideological interest groups

Public-interest lobby social movement political cue ratings

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Chapter 10 Study Questions

The Media

1.

In general, how does the American media differ from that of England and France?

2.

Define the terms “yellow journalism” and “muckrakers.”

3.

How have the characteristics of the electronic media and the Internet affected the actions of public officials and candidates for national office?

4.

What does the book conclude about the degree of competition in the media?

5.

What is the impact of the “national press?” Define the roles of the national media as gate keeper, scorekeeper, and watchdog. Think of examples for each.

6.

Summarize the rules regulating the media and the government including the following: prior restraint, libel, confidentiality of sources, FCC regulations, Telecommunications Act (1996), Equal time rule,

Right-of-reply rule, political editorializing rule, fairness doctrine. Make sure you understand all these rules.

7.

Summarize what the book says about the effects of the media on politics.

8.

How does press coverage of the president and of Congress differ?

9.

What does the book say concerning press bias?

10.

Why does American government have so many leaks?

11.

Why do people have an increasing lack of confidence in the media? Summarize all the reasons that the book gives.

Muckraker

Associated Press yellow journalism

“Big Three” Networks sound bites

Libel

Defamation

Prior Restraint

The Pentagon Papers trial balloon loaded languageEqual Time rule

Right-of-reply rule

Political editorializing rule

Fairness Doctrine

Selective attention

Editorial endorsement

Terms to Know

C-Span

Routine Stories

Feature Stories

Insider Stories

News Leaks

Adversarial Press

“Off/On the record”

“On (deep) background”

Feeding Frenzy

Pack Journalism

New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964)

Federal Communications Commission

Telecommunications Act

Shield law

“Above” or “Below the fold” stories

Freedom of Information Act (1974)

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12.

105

Interest Group Assignment

Due –

1. Pick one of the interest groups listed on your Study Guide. You are free to pick another group if you have a different choice. Just ask or email me to be sure you have made a good choice.

2. Go to that group’s web site. I have some links on my links page. Also, go to News Google and search for information on your group. That will help you find what issues they’ve been involved in recently. Research the following topics and type up a report (about three pages, double-spaced) covering those topics. You can simply put the topic as a heading and then give the information on that topic. (This isn’t meant to be a thesis-driven, unified essay.)

You can give your information in a bullet-points list

A. What are the issues your group is concerned with? What are some examples of legislation your group supports or opposes? What actions does your group take to try to influence policy and the public agenda? What resources make it influential? Give specific examples: (e.g. use of the media, law suits, direct lobbying, public information contributions, etc.) Which parts of the government does your group target, i.e. which executive branch departments and congressional committees?

B. What is the group’s political ideology? Does it favor one political party over the other? If so, does it have a history of supporting certain political candidates? What is it doing to support their favored candidates? Make the connection between their political ideology, the legislation they support, and the party they support.

OR

If you think your group is absolutely neutral, say so. Many interest groups are neutral. Discuss the issues that your group is concerned with and then, for the points in this section you will do the following. Find and summarize two news articles relevant to your interest group. You can use http://news.google.com/ to find such articles. Use the information to show how your group is trying to influence public policy.

C. Assess your group: What are its strengths and weaknesses? How effective is it in achieving its agenda? Back up what you say with specific examples demonstrating their effectiveness or lack thereof.

A. How it tries to influence policy and the public agenda

Possible

Points

35

Your

Points

30 B. Political Efforts/two news article summaries if your group is neutral

C. Assessment of your group’s strengths and weaknesses with examples supporting your conclusions

TOTAL

(This rubric must be stapled to the front of your assignment.)

35

100

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Reform the Media Project

What is the proper role of media in a Democratic society? Your job is to “reform the media” to address shortcomings and orient it towards the real needs of people who want to make informed choices in society.

How would a newspaper look that has a genuine interest in the people’s welfare? What would a programming guide look like for networks primarily concerned with providing people the news, information, and programming needed to meet the best interests of the people?

Requirements:

Choose a format, such as print media or the television. Within that format, develop either a front page or a programming guide that reflects how you believe the media should present information.

Print Media: Create either a front page for a newspaper (Think Sacramento Bee, New York Times) or a front page and table or contents for a newsmagazine (Think Time, Newsweek). For either of these options you need to select the headlines, by-lines and sample news articles and photos, etc. that would appear on the front page. For the magazines, you’ll need to select an appropriate cover-page photo, then create an index of the articles that appear on the inside of the front cover.

Television media: For the television you will create a 24-hour programming guide (Think TV Guide) of network programs (you only need the major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX, not cable), and include programming from 8:00a.m. to 7:30 a.m. the next day. A brief description of each show is needed to inform the viewer what the show is about.

Approaches:

Straightforward approach: Create articles, photos and news items that you feel are truly representative of the kinds of news and information people need to make good choices, avoid propaganda, and become more enlightened.

Satirical approach: What would happen if the media were totally biased (e.g., the world from an ultraconservative perspective; world from an ultraliberal perspective; world from a communist perspective; world from an anarchist perspective).

Grading:

Grades will be awarded based on creativity, thoughtfulness, clarity, artistic rendering of illustrations and photos, and neatness.

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Why Americans Hate the Media by James Fallows

In the late 1980s public-television stations aired a talking-heads series called Ethics in America. For each show more than a dozen prominent citizens sat around a horseshoe-shaped table and tried to answer troubling ethical questions posed by a moderator. The series might have seemed a good bet to be paralyzingly dull, but at least one show was riveting in its drama and tension.

The episode was taped in the fall of 1987. Its title was "Under Orders, Under Fire," and most of the panelists were former soldiers talking about the ethical dilemmas of their work. The moderator was Charles Ogletree, a professor at

Harvard Law School, who moved from panelist to panelist asking increasingly difficult questions in the law school's famous Socratic style.

During the first half of the show Ogletree made the soldiers squirm about ethical tangles on the battlefield. The man getting the roughest treatment was Frederick Downs, a writer who as a young Army lieutenant in Vietnam had lost his left arm in a mine explosion.

Ogletree asked Downs to imagine that he was a young lieutenant again. He and his platoon were in the nation of "South

Kosan," advising South Kosanese troops in their struggle against invaders from "North Kosan." (This scenario was apparently a hybrid of the U.S. roles in the Korean and Vietnam wars.) A North Kosanese unit had captured several of

Downs's men alive—but Downs had also captured several of the North Kosanese. Downs did not know where his men were being held, but he thought his prisoners did.

And so Ogletree put the question: How far would Downs go to make a prisoner talk? Would he order him tortured?

Would he torture the prisoner himself? Downs himself speculated on what he would do if he had a big knife in his hand.

Would he start cutting the prisoner? When would he make himself stop, if the prisoner just wouldn't talk?

Downs did not shrink from the questions or the implications of his answers. He wouldn't enjoy doing it, he told

Ogletree. He would have to live with the consequences for the rest of his life. But yes, he would torture the captive. He would use the knife. Implicit in his answers was the idea that he would do the cutting himself and would listen to the captive scream. He would do whatever was necessary to try to save his own men. While explaining his decisions Downs sometimes gestured with his left hand for emphasis. The hand was a metal hook.

Ogletree worked his way through the other military officials, asking all how they reacted to Frederick Downs's choice.

William Westmoreland, who had commanded the whole U.S. force in Vietnam when Downs was serving there, deplored Downs's decision. After all, he said, even war has its rules. An Army chaplain wrestled with how he would react if a soldier in a morally troubling position similar to Downs's came to him privately and confessed what he had done. A Marine Corps officer juggled a related question: What would he do if he came across an American soldier who was about to torture or execute a bound and unarmed prisoner, who might be a civilian?

The soldiers disagreed among themselves. Yet in describing their decisions they used phrases like "I hope I would have the courage to . . ." and "In order to live with myself later I would . . ." The whole exercise may have been set up as a

108 rhetorical game, but Ogletree's questions clearly tapped into discussions the soldiers had already had about the consequences of choices they made.

Then Ogletree turned to the two most famous members of the evening's panel, better known even than Westmoreland.

These were two star TV journalists: Peter Jennings, of World News Tonight and ABC, and Mike Wallace, of 60 Minutes and CBS.

Ogletree brought them into the same hypothetical war. He asked Jennings to imagine that he worked for a network that had been in contact with the enemy North Kosanese government. After much pleading Jennings and his news crew got permission from the North Kosanese to enter their country and film behind the lines. Would Jennings be willing to go?

Of course, he replied. Any reporter would—and in real wars reporters from his network often had.

But while Jennings and his crew were traveling with a North Kosanese unit, to visit the site of an alleged atrocity by

U.S. and South Kosanese troops, they unexpectedly crossed the trail of a small group of American and South Kosanese soldiers. With Jennings in their midst the Northern soldiers set up an ambush that would let them gun down the

Americans and Southerners.

What would Jennings do? Would he tell his cameramen to "Roll tape!" as the North Kosanese opened fire? What would go through his mind as he watched the North Kosanese prepare to fire?

Jennings sat silent for about fifteen seconds. "Well, I guess I wouldn't," he finally said. "I am going to tell you now what

I am feeling, rather than the hypothesis I drew for myself. If I were with a North Kosanese unit that came upon

Americans, I think that I personally would do what I could to warn the Americans."

Even if it meant losing the story? Ogletree asked.

Even though it would almost certainly mean losing my life, Jennings replied. "But I do not think that I could bring myself to participate in that act. That's purely personal, and other reporters might have a different reaction."

Ogletree turned for reaction to Mike Wallace, who immediately replied. "I think some other reporters would have a different reaction," he said, obviously referring to himself. "They would regard it simply as another story they were there to cover." A moment later Wallace said, "I am astonished, really." He turned toward Jennings and began to lecture him: "You're a reporter. Granted you're an American" (at least for purposes of the fictional example; Jennings has actually retained Canadian citizenship). "I'm a little bit at a loss to understand why, because you're an American, you would not have covered that story."

Ogletree pushed Wallace. Didn't Jennings have some higher duty to do something other than just roll film as soldiers from his own country were being shot?

"No," Wallace said flatly and immediately. "You don't have a higher duty. No. No. You're a reporter!"

109

Jennings backtracked fast. Wallace was right, he said: "I chickened out." Jennings said that he had "played the hypothetical very hard."He had lost sight of his journalistic duty to remain detached.

As Jennings said he agreed with Wallace, several soldiers in the room seemed to regard the two of them with horror.

Retired Air Force General Brent Scowcroft, who would soon become George Bush's National Security Advisor, said it was simply wrong to stand and watch as your side was slaughtered. "What's it worth?" he asked Wallace bitterly. "It's worth thirty seconds on the evening news, as opposed to saving a platoon."

After a brief discussion between Wallace and Scowcroft, Ogletree reminded Wallace of Scowcroft's basic question.

What was it worth for the reporter to stand by, looking? Shouldn't the reporter have said something ?

Wallace gave a disarming grin, shrugged his shoulders, and said, "I don't know." He later mentioned extreme circumstances in which he thought journalists should intervene. But at that moment he seemed to be mugging to the crowd with a "Don't ask me!"expression, and in fact he drew a big laugh—the first such moment in the discussion.

Jennings, however, was all business, and was still concerned about the first answer he had given.

"I wish I had made another decision," Jennings said, as if asking permission to live the past five minutes over again. "I would like to have made his decision"—that is, Wallace's decision to keep on filming.

A few minutes later Ogletree turned to George M. Connell, a Marine colonel in full uniform. Jaw muscles flexing in anger, with stress on each word, Connell said, "I feel utter contempt."

Two days after this hypothetical episode, Connell said, Jennings or Wallace might be back with the American forces— and could be wounded by stray fire, as combat journalists often had been before. When that happens, he said, they are

"just journalists." Yet they would expect American soldiers to run out under enemy fire and drag them back, rather than leaving them to bleed to death on the battlefield.

"I'll do it!" Connell said. "And that is what makes me so contemptuous of them. Marines will die going to get . . . a couple of journalists." The last words dripped disgust.

Not even Ogletree knew what to say. There was dead silence for several seconds. Then a square-jawed man with neat gray hair and aviator glasses spoke up. It was Newt Gingrich, looking a generation younger and trimmer than he would when he became speaker of the House, in 1995. One thing was clear from this exercise, Gingrich said. "The military has done a vastly better job of systematically thinking through the ethics of behavior in a violent environment than the journalists have."

That was about the mildest way to put it. Although Wallace and Jennings conceded that the criticism was fair—if journalists considered themselves "detached,"they could not logically expect American soldiers to rescue them— nevertheless their reactions spoke volumes about the values of their craft. Jennings was made to feel embarrassed about his natural, decent human impulse. Wallace seemed unembarrassed about feeling no connection to the soldiers in his country's army or considering their deaths before his eyes "simply a story." In other important occupations people sometimes face the need to do the horrible. Frederick Downs, after all, was willing to torture a man and hear him

110 scream. But Downs had thought through all the consequences and alternatives, and he knew he would live with the horror for the rest of his days. When Mike Wallace said he would do something horrible, he barely bothered to give a rationale. He did not try to explain the reasons a reporter might feel obliged to remain silent as the attack began—for instance, that in combat reporters must be beyond country, or that they have a duty to bear impartial witness to deaths on either side, or that Jennings had implicitly made a promise not to betray the North Kosanese when he agreed to accompany them. The soldiers might or might not have found such arguments convincing; Wallace didn't even make them.

Not Issues But the Game of Politics

A generation ago political talk programs were sleepy Sunday-morning affairs. The Secretary of State or the Senate majority leader would show up to answer questions from Lawrence Spivak or Bob Clark, and after thirty minutes another stately episode of Meet the Press or Issues and Answers would be history.

Everything in public life is "brighter" and more "interesting" now. Constant competition from the weekday trash-talk shows has forced anything involving political life to liven up. Under pressure from the Saturday political-talk shows—

The McLaughlin Group and its many disorderly descendants—even the Sunday-morning shows have put on rouge and push-up bras.

Meet the Press , moderated by Tim Russert, is probably the meatiest of these programs. High-powered guests discuss serious topics with Russert, who worked for years in politics, and with veteran reporters. Yet the pressure to keep things lively means that squabbling replaces dialogue.

The discussion shows that are supposed to enhance public understanding may actually reduce it, by hammering home the message that issues don't matter except as items for politicians to fight over. Some politicians in Washington may indeed view all issues as mere tools to use against their opponents. But far from offsetting this view of public life, the national press often encourages it. As Washington-based talk shows have become more popular in the past decade, they have had a trickle-down effect in cities across the country. In Seattle, in Los Angeles, in Boston, in Atlanta, journalists gain notice and influence by appearing regularly on talk shows—and during those appearances they mainly talk about the game of politics.

In the 1992 presidential campaign candidates spent more time answering questions from "ordinary people"—citizens in town-hall forums, callers on radio and TV talk shows—than they had in previous years. The citizens asked overwhelmingly about the what of politics: What are you going to do about the health-care system? What can you do to reduce the cost of welfare? The reporters asked almost exclusively about the how : How are you going to try to take away Perot's constituency? How do you answer charges that you have flip-flopped?

After the 1992 campaign the contrast between questions from citizens and those from reporters was widely discussed in journalism reviews and postmortems on campaign coverage. Reporters acknowledged that they should try harder to ask questions about things their readers and viewers seemed to care about—that is, questions about the differences that political choices would make in people's lives.

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In January of last year there was a chance to see how well the lesson had sunk in. In the days just before and after Bill

Clinton delivered his State of the Union address to the new Republican-controlled Congress, he answered questions in a wide variety of forums in order to explain his plans.

On January 31, a week after the speech, the President flew to Boston and took questions from a group of teenagers.

Their questions concerned the effects of legislation or government programs on their communities or schools. These were the questions (paraphrased in some cases):

* "We need stronger laws to punish those people who are caught selling guns to our youth. Basically, what can you do about that?"

* "I notice that often it's the media that is responsible for the negative portrayal of young people in our society." What can political leaders do to persuade the media that there is good news about youth?

* Apprenticeship programs and other ways to provide job training have been valuable for students not going to college.

Can the Administration promote more of these programs?

* Programs designed to keep teenagers away from drugs and gangs often emphasize sports and seem geared mainly to boys. How can such programs be made more attractive to teenage girls?

* What is it like at Oxford? (This was from a student who was completing a new alternative-school curriculum in the

Boston public schools, and who had been accepted at Oxford.)

* "We need more police officers who are trained to deal with all the other different cultures in our cities." What can the government do about that?

* "In Boston, Northeastern University has created a model of scholarships and other supports to help inner-city kids get to and stay in college. . . . As President, can you urge colleges across the country to do what Northeastern has done?"

Earlier in the month the President's performance had been assessed by the three network-news anchors: Peter Jennings, of ABC; Dan Rather, of CBS; and Tom Brokaw, of NBC. There was no overlap whatsoever between the questions the students asked and those raised by the anchors. None of the questions from these news professionals concerned the impact of legislation or politics on people's lives. Nearly all concerned the struggle for individual advancement among candidates.

Peter Jennings, who met with Clinton as the Gingrich-Dole Congress was getting under way, asked whether Clinton had been eclipsed as a political leader by the Republicans. Dan Rather did interviews through January with prominent politicians—Senators Edward Kennedy, Phil Gramm, and Bob Dole—building up to a profile of Clinton two days after the State of the Union address. Every question he asked was about popularity or political tactics. He asked Phil Gramm to guess whether Newt Gingrich would enter the race (no) and whether Bill Clinton would be renominated by his party

(yes). He asked Bob Dole what kind of mood the President seemed to be in, and whether Dole and Gingrich were, in effect, the new bosses of Washington. When Edward Kennedy began giving his views about the balanced-budget

112 amendment, Rather steered him back on course: "Senator, you know I'd talk about these things the rest of the afternoon, but let's move quickly to politics. Do you expect Bill Clinton to be the Democratic nominee for re-election in 1996?"

The CBS Evening News profile of Clinton, which was narrated by Rather and was presented as part of the series Eye on

America , contained no mention of Clinton's economic policy, his tax or budget plans, his failed attempt to pass a healthcare proposal, his successful attempt to ratify NAFTA, his efforts to "reinvent government," or any substantive aspect of his proposals or plans in office. Its subject was exclusively Clinton's handling of his office—his "difficulty making decisions," his "waffling" at crucial moments. If Rather or his colleagues had any interest in the content of Clinton's speech as opposed to its political effect, neither the questions they asked nor the reports they aired revealed such a concern.

Tom Brokaw's questions were more substantive, but even he concentrated mainly on politics of the moment. How did the President feel about a poll showing that 61 percent of the public felt that he had no "strong convictions" and could be "easily swayed"? What did Bill Clinton think about Newt Gingrich? "Do you think he plays fair?" How did he like it that people kept shooting at the White House?

When ordinary citizens have a chance to pose questions to political leaders, they rarely ask about the game of politics.

They want to know how the reality of politics will affect them—through taxes, programs, scholarship funds, wars.

Journalists justify their intrusiveness and excesses by claiming that they are the public's representatives, asking the questions their fellow citizens would ask if they had the privilege of meeting with Presidents and senators. In fact they ask questions that only their fellow political professionals care about. And they often do so—as at the typical White

House news conference—with a discourtesy and rancor that represent the public's views much less than they reflect the modern journalist's belief that being independent boils down to acting hostile.

Reductio Ad Electionem: The One Track Mind

The limited curiosity that elite reporters display in their questions is also evident in the stories they write once they have received answers. They are interested mainly in pure politics and can be coerced into examining the substance of an issue only as a last resort. The subtle but sure result is a stream of daily messages that the real meaning of public life is the struggle of Bob Dole against Newt Gingrich against Bill Clinton, rather than our collective efforts to solve collective problems.

The natural instinct of newspapers and TV is to present every public issue as if its "real" meaning were political in the meanest and narrowest sense of that term—the attempt by parties and candidates to gain an advantage over their rivals.

Reporters do, of course, write stories about political life in the broader sense and about the substance of issues—the pluses and minuses of diplomatic recognition for Vietnam, the difficulties of holding down the Medicare budget, whether immigrants help or hurt the nation's economic base. But when there is a chance to use these issues as props or raw material for a story about political tactics, most reporters leap at it. It is more fun—and easier—to write about Bill

Clinton's "positioning" on the Vietnam issue, or how Newt Gingrich is "handling" the need to cut Medicare, than it is to look into the issues themselves.

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Examples of this preference occur so often that they're difficult to notice. But every morning's newspaper, along with every evening's newscast, reveals this pattern of thought.

* Last February, when the Democratic President and the Republican Congress were fighting over how much federal money would go to local law-enforcement agencies, one network-news broadcast showed a clip of Gingrich denouncing

Clinton and another of Clinton standing in front of a sea of uniformed police officers while making a tough-on-crime speech. The correspondent's sign-off line was "The White House thinks 'cops on the beat' has a simple but appealing ring to it." That is, the President was pushing the plan because it would sound good in his campaign ads. Whether or not that was Clinton's real motive, nothing in the broadcast gave the slightest hint of where the extra policemen would go, how much they might cost, whether there was reason to think they'd do any good. Everything in the story suggested that the crime bill mattered only as a chapter in the real saga, which was the struggle between Bill and Newt.

* Last April, after the explosion at the federal building in Oklahoma City, discussion changed quickly from the event itself to politicians' "handling" of the event. On the Sunday after the blast President Clinton announced a series of new anti-terrorism measures. The next morning, on National Public Radio's Morning Edition , Cokie Roberts was asked about the prospects of the proposals' taking effect. "In some ways it's not even the point," she replied. What mattered was that Clinton "looked good" taking the tough side of the issue. No one expects Cokie Roberts or other political correspondents to be experts on controlling terrorism, negotiating with the Syrians, or the other specific measures on which Presidents make stands. But all issues are shoehorned into the area of expertise the most-prominent correspondents do have:the struggle for one-upmanship among a handful of political leaders.

* When health-care reform was the focus of big political battles between Republicans and Democrats, it was on the front page and the evening newscast every day. When the Clinton Administration declared defeat in 1994 and there were no more battles to be fought, health-care news coverage virtually stopped too—even though the medical system still represented one seventh of the economy, even though HMOs and corporations and hospitals and pharmaceutical companies were rapidly changing policies in the face of ever-rising costs. Health care was no longer political news, and therefore it was no longer interesting news.

* After California's voters approved Proposition 187 in the 1994 elections, drastically limiting the benefits available to illegal immigrants, the national press ran a trickle of stories on what this would mean for California's economy, its school and legal systems, even its relations with Mexico. A flood of stories examined the political impact of the immigration issue—how the Republicans might exploit it, how the Democrats might be divided by it, whether it might propel Pete Wilson to the White House.

* On August 16 last year Bill Bradley announced that after representing New Jersey in the Senate for three terms he would not run for a fourth term. In interviews and at the news conferences he conducted afterward Bradley did his best to talk about the deep problems of public life and economic adjustment that had left him frustrated with the political process. Each of the parties had locked itself into rigid positions that kept it from dealing with the realistic concerns of ordinary people, he said. American corporations were doing what they had to do for survival in international competition: they were downsizing and making themselves radically more efficient and productive. But the result was

to leave "decent, hardworking Americans" more vulnerable to layoffs and the loss of their careers, medical coverage, pension rights, and social standing than they had been in decades. Somehow, Bradley said, we had to move past the focus on short-term political maneuvering and determine how to deal with the forces that were leaving Americans frustrated and insecure.

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That, at least, was what Bill Bradley said. What turned up in the press was almost exclusively speculation about what the move meant for this year's presidential race and the party lineup on Capitol Hill. Might Bradley challenge Bill

Clinton in the Democratic primaries? If not, was he preparing for an independent run? Could the Democrats come up with any other candidate capable of holding on to Bradley's seat? Wasn't this a slap in the face for Bill Clinton and the party he purported to lead? In the aftermath of Bradley's announcement prominent TV and newspaper reporters competed to come up with the shrewdest analysis of the political impact of the move. None of the country's major papers or networks used Bradley's announcement as a news peg for an analysis of the real issues he had raised.

The day after his announcement Bradley was interviewed by Judy Woodruff on the CNN program Inside Politics .

Woodruff is a widely respected and knowledgeable reporter, but her interaction with Bradley was like the meeting of two beings from different universes. Every answer Bradley gave was about the substance of national problems that concerned him. Every one of Woodruff's responses or questions was about short-term political tactics. Woodruff asked about the political implications of his move for Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich. Bradley replied that it was more important to concentrate on the difficulties both parties had in dealing with real national problems.

Midway through the interview Bradley gave a long answer to the effect that everyone involved in politics had to get out of the rut of converting every subject or comment into a political "issue," used for partisan advantage. Let's stop talking,

Bradley said, about who will win what race and start responding to one another's ideas.

As soon as he finished, Woodruff asked her next question: "Do you want to be President?" It was as if she had not heard a word he had been saying—or couldn't hear it, because the media's language of political analysis is utterly separate from the terms in which people describe real problems in their lives.

The effect is as if the discussion of every new advance in medicine boiled down to speculation about whether its creator would win the Nobel Prize that year. Regardless of the tone of coverage, medical research will go on. But a relentless emphasis on the cynical game of politics threatens public life itself, by implying day after day that the political sphere is nothing more than an arena in which ambitious politicians struggle for dominance, rather than a structure in which citizens can deal with worrisome collective problems.

Pointless Prediction: The Political Experts

On Sunday, November 6, 1994, two days before the congressional elections that swept the Republicans to power, The

Washington Post published the results of its "Crystal Ball" poll. Fourteen prominent journalists, pollsters, and all-around analysts made their predictions about how many seats each party would win in the House and Senate and how many governorships each would take.

One week later many of these same experts would be saying on their talk shows that the Republican landslide was

"inevitable" and "a long time coming" and "a sign of deep discontent in the heartland." But before the returns were in,

how many of the fourteen experts predicted that the Republicans would win both houses of Congress and that Newt

Gingrich would be speaker? Exactly three.

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What is interesting about this event is not just that so many experts could be so wrong. Immediately after the election even Newt Gingrich seemed dazed by the idea that the forty-year reign of the Democrats in the House had actually come to an end. Rather, the episode said something about the futility of political prediction itself—a task to which the big-time press devotes enormous effort and time. Two days before the election many of the country's most admired analysts had no idea what was about to happen. Yet within a matter of weeks these same people, unfazed, would be writing articles and giving speeches and being quoted about who was "ahead" and "behind" in the emerging race for the

White House in 1996.

As with medieval doctors who applied leeches and trepanned skulls, the practitioners cannot be blamed for the limits of their profession. But we can ask why reporters spend so much time directing our attention toward what is not much more than guesswork on their part. It builds the impression that journalism is about what's entertaining—guessing what might or might not happen next month—rather than what's useful, such as extracting lessons of success and failure from events that have already occurred. Competing predictions add almost nothing to our ability to solve public problems or to make sensible choices among complex alternatives. Yet such useless distractions have become a specialty of the political press. They are easy to produce, they allow reporters to act as if they possessed special inside knowledge, and there are no consequences for being wrong.

Spoon Feeding: The White House Press Corps

In the early spring of last year, when Newt Gingrich was dominating the news from Washington and the O. J. Simpson trial was dominating the news as a whole, The Washington Post ran an article about the pathos of the White House press room. Nobody wanted to hear what the President was doing, so the people who cover the President could not get on the air. Howard Kurtz, the Post 's media writer, described the human cost of this political change:

Brit Hume is in his closet-size White House cubicle, watching Kato Kaelin testify on CNN. Bill Plante, in the adjoining cubicle, has his feet up and is buried in the New York Times . Brian Williams is in the corridor, idling away the time with

Jim Miklaszewski.

An announcement is made for a bill-signing ceremony. Some of America's highest-paid television correspondents begin ambling toward the pressroom door.

"Are you coming with us?" Williams asks.

"I guess so," says Hume, looking forlorn.

The White House spokesman, Mike McCurry, told Kurtz that there was some benefit to the enforced silence: "Brit

Hume has now got his crossword puzzle capacity down to record time. And some of the reporters have been out on the lecture circuit."

The deadpan restraint with which Kurtz told this story is admirable. But the question many readers would want to scream at the idle correspondents is Why don't you go out and do some work?

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Why not go out and interview someone, even if you're not going to get any airtime that night? Why not escape the monotonous tyranny of the White House press room, which reporters are always complaining about? The knowledge that O.J. will keep you off the air yet again should liberate you to look into those stories you never "had time" to deal with before. Why not read a book —about welfare reform, about Russia or China, about race relations, about anything?

Why not imagine, just for a moment, that your journalistic duty might involve something more varied and constructive than doing standups from the White House lawn and sounding skeptical about whatever announcement the President's spokesman put out that day?

What might these well-paid, well-trained correspondents have done while waiting for the O.J. trial to become boring enough that they could get back on the air? They might have tried to learn something that would be of use to their viewers when the story of the moment went away. Without leaving Washington, without going farther than ten minutes by taxi from the White House (so that they could be on hand if a sudden press conference was called), they could have prepared themselves to discuss the substance of issues that affect the public.

For example, two years earlier Vice President Al Gore had announced an ambitious plan to "reinvent" the federal government. Had it made any difference, either in improving the performance of government or in reducing its cost, or was it all for show? Republicans and Democrats were sure to spend the next few months fighting about cuts in the capital-gains tax. Capital-gains tax rates were higher in some countries and lower in others. What did the experience of these countries show about whether cutting the rates helped an economy to grow? The rate of immigration was rising again, and in California and Florida it was becoming an important political issue. What was the latest evidence on the economic and social effects of immigration? Should Americans feel confident or threatened that so many foreigners were trying to make their way in? Soon both political parties would be advancing plans to reform the welfare system.

Within a two-mile radius of the White House lived plenty of families on welfare. Why not go and see how the system had affected them, and what they would do if it changed? The federal government had gone further than most private industries in trying to open opportunities to racial minorities and women. The Pentagon had gone furthest of all. What did people involved in this process—men and women, blacks and whites—think about its successes and failures? What light did their experience shed on the impending affirmative-action debate?

The list could go on for pages. With a few minutes' effort—about as long as it takes to do a crossword puzzle—the correspondents could have drawn up lists of other subjects they had never before "had time" to investigate. They had the time now. What they lacked was a sense that their responsibility involved something more than standing up to rehash the day's announcements when there was room for them on the news.

Glass Houses: Journalists and Financial Disclosure

Half a century ago reporters knew but didn't say that Franklin D. Roosevelt was in a wheelchair. A generation ago many reporters knew but didn't write about John F. Kennedy's insatiable appetite for women. For several months in the early

Clinton era reporters knew about but didn't disclose Paula Jones's allegation that, as governor of Arkansas, Bill Clinton

117 had exposed himself to her. Eventually this claim found its way into all the major newspapers, proving that there is no longer any such thing as an accusation too embarrassing to be printed if it seems to bear on a politician's "character."

It is not just the President who has given up his privacy in the name of the public's right to know. Over the past two decades officials whose power is tiny compared with the President's have had to reveal embarrassing details about what most Americans consider very private matters: their income and wealth. Each of the more than 3,000 people appointed by the President to executive-branch jobs must reveal previous sources of income and summarize his or her financial holdings. Congressmen have changed their rules to forbid themselves to accept honoraria for speaking to interest groups or lobbyists. The money that politicians do raise from individuals and groups must be disclosed to the Federal Election

Commission. The information they disclose is available to the public and appears often in publications, most prominently The Washington Post .

No one contends that every contribution makes every politician corrupt. But financial disclosure has become commonplace on the "Better safe than sorry" principle. If politicians and officials are not corrupt, the reasoning goes, they have nothing to fear from letting their finances be publicized. And if they are corrupt, public disclosure is a way to stop them before they do too much harm. The process may be embarrassing, but this is the cost of public life.

How different the "Better safe than sorry" calculation seems when journalists are involved! Reporters and pundits hold no elected office, but they are obviously public figures. The most prominent TV-talk-show personalities are better known than all but a handful of congressmen. When politicians and pundits sit alongside one another on Washington talk shows and trade opinions, they underscore the essential similarity of their political roles. The pundits have no vote in Congress, but the overall political impact of a word from George Will, Ted Koppel, William Safire, or any of their colleagues who run the major editorial pages dwarfs anything a third-term congressman could do. If an interest group had the choice of buying the favor of one prominent media figure or of two junior congressmen, it wouldn't even have to think about the decision. The pundit is obviously more valuable.

If a reporter is sued for libel by a prominent but unelected personality, such as David Letterman or Donald Trump, he or she says that the offended party is a "public figure"—about whom nearly anything can be written in the press. Public figures, according to the rulings that shape today's libel law, can win a libel suit only if they can prove that a reporter knew that what he or she was writing was false, or had "reckless disregard" for its truth, and went ahead and published it anyway. Public figures, according to the law, pay a price for being well known. And who are these people? The category is not limited to those who hold public office but includes all who "thrust themselves into the public eye."

Most journalists would eloquently argue the logic of this broad definition of public figures—until the same standard was applied to them.

In 1993 Sam Donaldson, of ABC, described himself in an interview as being in touch with the concerns of the average

American. "I'm trying to get a little ranching business started in New Mexico," he said. "I've got five people on the payroll. I'm making out those government forms." Thus he understood the travails of the small businessman and the annoyances of government regulation. Donaldson, whose base pay from ABC is reported to be some $2 million a year, did not point out that his several ranches in New Mexico together covered some 20,000 acres. When doing a segment attacking farm subsidies on Prime Time Live in 1993 he did not point out that "those government forms" allowed him to

118 claim nearly $97,000 in sheep and mohair subsidies over two years. William Neuman, a reporter for the New York Post , said that when his photographer tried to take pictures of Donaldson's ranch house, Donaldson had him thrown off his property. ("In the West trespassing is a serious offense," Donaldson explained.)

Had Donaldson as a journalist been pursuing a politician or even a corporate executive, he would have felt justified in using the most aggressive reportorial techniques. When these techniques were turned on him, he complained that the reporters were going too far. The analysts who are so clear-eyed about the conflict of interest in Newt Gingrich's book deal claim that they see no reason, none at all, why their own finances might be of public interest.

Last May one of Donaldson's colleagues on This Week With David Brinkley , George Will, wrote a column and delivered on-air comments ridiculing the Clinton Administration's plan to impose tariffs on Japanese luxury cars, notably the

Lexus. On the Brinkley show Will said that the tariffs would be "illegal" and would merely amount to "a subsidy for

Mercedes dealerships."

Neither in his column nor on the show did Will disclose that his wife, Mari Maseng Will, ran a firm that had been paid some $200,000 as a registered foreign agent for the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, and that one of the duties for which she was hired was to get American commentators to criticize the tariff plan. When Will was asked why he had never mentioned this, he replied that it was "just too silly" to think that his views might have been affected by his wife's contract.

Will had, in fact, espoused such views for years, since long before his wife worked for the JAMA and even before he had married her. Few of his readers would leap to the conclusion that Will was serving as a mouthpiece for his wife's employers. But surely most would have preferred to learn that information from Will himself.

A third member of the regular Brinkley panel, Cokie Roberts, is, along with Will and Donaldson, a frequent and highly paid speaker before corporate audiences. She has made a point of not disclosing which interest groups she speaks to or how much money she is paid. She has criticized the Clinton Administration for its secretive handling of the controversy surrounding Hillary Clinton's lucrative cattle-future trades and of the Whitewater affair, yet like the other pundits, she refuses to acknowledge that secrecy about financial interests undermines journalism's credibility too.

Out of Touch With America

In the week leading up to a State of the Union address White House aides always leak word to reporters that this year the speech will be "different." No more laundry list of all the government's activities, no more boring survey of every potential trouble spot in the world. This time, for a change, the speech is going to be short, punchy, and thematic. When the actual speech occurs, it is never short, punchy, or thematic. It is long and detailed, like all its predecessors, because as the deadline nears, every part of the government scrambles desperately to have a mention of its activities crammed into the speech somewhere.

In the days before Bill Clinton's address a year ago aides said that no matter what had happened to all those other

Presidents, this time the speech really would be short, punchy, and thematic. The President understood the situation, he recognized his altered role, and he saw this as an opportunity to set a new theme for his third and fourth years in office.

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That evening the promises once again proved false. Bill Clinton gave a speech that was enormously long even by the standards of previous State of the Union addresses. The speech had three or four apparent endings, it had ad-libbed inserts, and it covered both the details of policy and the President's theories about what had gone wrong with America.

An hour and twenty-one minutes after he took the podium, the President stepped down.

Less than a minute later the mockery from commentators began. For instant analysis NBC went to Peggy Noonan, who had been a speechwriter for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush. She grimaced and barely tried to conceal her disdain for such an ungainly, sprawling speech. Other commentators soon mentioned that congressmen had been slipping out of the Capitol building before the end of the speech, that Clinton had once more failed to stick to an agenda, that the speech probably would not give the President the new start he sought. The comments were virtually all about the tactics of the speech, and they were almost all thumbs down.

A day and a half later the first newspaper columns showed up. They were even more critical. On January 26 The

Washington Post 's op-ed page consisted mainly of stories about the speech, all of which were withering. "All Mush and

No Message" was the headline on a column by Richard Cohen. "An Opportunity Missed" was the more statesmanlike judgment from David Broder. Cohen wrote: "Pardon me if I thought of an awful metaphor: Clinton at a buffet table, eating everything in sight."

What a big fat jerk that Clinton was! How little he understood the obligations of leadership! Yet the news section of the same day's Post had a long article based on discussions with a focus group of ordinary citizens in Chicago who had watched the President's speech. "For these voters, the State of the Union speech was an antidote to weeks of unrelenting criticism of Clinton's presidency," the article said.

"Tonight reminded us of what has been accomplished," said Maureen Prince, who works as the office manager in her husband's business and has raised five children. "We are so busy hearing the negatives all the time, from the time you wake up on your clock radio in the morning. . . ."

The group's immediate impressions mirrored the results of several polls conducted immediately after the president's speech.

ABC News found that eight out of 10 approved of the president's speech. CBS News said that 74 percent of those surveyed said they had a "clear idea" of what Clinton stands for, compared with just 41 percent before the speech. A

Gallup Poll for USA Today and Cable News Network found that eight in 10 said Clinton is leading the country in the right direction.

Nielsen ratings reported in the same day's paper showed that the longer the speech went on, the larger the number of people who tuned in to watch.

The point is not that the pundits are necessarily wrong and the public necessarily right. The point is the gulf between the two groups' reactions. The very aspects of the speech that had seemed so ridiculous to the professional commentators—

120 its detail, its inclusiveness, the hyperearnestness of Clinton's conclusion about the "common good"—seemed attractive and worthwhile to most viewers.

"I'm wondering what so much of the public heard that our highly trained expert analysts completely missed," Carol

Cantor, a software consultant from California, wrote in a discussion on the WELL, a popular online forum, three days after the speech. What they heard was, in fact, the speech, which allowed them to draw their own conclusions rather than being forced to accept an expert "analysis" of how the President "handled" the speech. In most cases the analysis goes unchallenged, because the public has no chance to see whatever event the pundits are describing. In this instance viewers had exactly the same evidence about Clinton's performance that the "experts" did, and from it they drew radically different conclusions.

In 1992 political professionals had laughed at Ross Perot's "boring" and "complex" charts about the federal budget deficit—until it became obvious that viewers loved them. And for a week or two after this State of the Union speech there were little jokes on the weekend talk shows about how out of step the pundit reaction had been with opinion "out there." But after a polite chuckle the talk shifted to how the President and the speaker and Senator Dole were handling their jobs.

Term Limits

As soon as the Democrats were routed in the 1994 elections, commentators and TV analysts said it was obvious that the

American people were tired of seeing the same old faces in Washington. The argument went that those who lived inside the Beltway had forgotten what it was like in the rest of the country. They didn't get it. They were out of touch. The only way to jerk the congressional system back to reality was to bring in new blood.

A few days after the new Congress was sworn in, CNN began running an updated series of promotional ads for its program Crossfire . (Previous ads had featured shots of locomotives colliding head-on and rams locking horns, to symbolize the meeting of minds on the show.) Everything has been shaken up in the capital, one of the ads began. New faces. New names. New people in charge of all the committees.

"In fact," the announcer said, in a tone meant to indicate whimsy, "only one committee hasn't changed. The welcoming committee."

The camera pulled back to reveal the three hosts of Crossfire

—Pat Buchanan, John Sununu, and Michael Kinsley— standing with arms crossed on the steps of the Capitol building, blocking the path of the new arrivals trying to make their way in. "Watch your step," one of the hosts said.

Talk about not getting it! The people who put together this ad must have imagined that the popular irritation with insidethe-Beltway culture was confined to members of Congress—and didn't extend to members of the punditocracy, many of whom had held their positions much longer than the typical congressman had. The difference between the "welcoming committee" and the congressional committees headed by fallen Democratic titans like Tom Foley and Jack Brooks was that the congressmen can be booted out.

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"Polls show that both Republicans and Democrats felt better about the Congress just after the 1994 elections," a Clinton

Administration official said last year. "They had 'made the monkey jump'—they were able to discipline an institution they didn't like. They could register the fact that they were unhappy. There doesn't seem to be any way to do that with the press, except to stop watching and reading, which more and more people have done."

Lost Credibility

There is an astonishing gulf between the way journalists—especially the most prominent ones—think about their impact and the way the public does. In movies of the 1930s reporters were gritty characters who instinctively sided with the common man. In the 1970s Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, starring as Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein in All the President's Men , were better-paid but still gritty reporters unafraid to challenge big power. Even the local-TV-news crew featured on The Mary Tyler Moore Show had a certain down-to-earth pluck. Ted Knight, as the pea-brained news anchor Ted Baxter, was a ridiculously pompous figure but not an arrogant one.

Since the early 1980s the journalists who have shown up in movies have often been portrayed as more loathsome than the lawyers, politicians, and business moguls who are the traditional bad guys in films about the white-collar world. In

Absence of Malice , made in 1981, an ambitious newspaper reporter (Sally Field) ruins the reputation of a businessman

(Paul Newman) by rashly publishing articles accusing him of murder. In Broadcast News , released in 1987, the anchorman (William Hurt) is still an airhead, like Ted Baxter, but unlike Ted, he works in a business that is systematically hostile to anything except profit and bland good looks. The only sympathetic characters in the movie, an overeducated reporter (Albert Brooks) and a hyperactive and hyperidealistic producer (Holly Hunter), would have triumphed as heroes in a newspaper movie of the 1930s. In this one they are ground down by the philistines at their network.

In the Die Hard series, which started in 1988, a TV journalist (William Atherton) is an unctuous creep who will lie and push helpless people around in order to get on the air. In The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990) the tabloid writer Peter

Fallow (Bruce Willis) is a disheveled British sot who will do anything for a free drink. In Rising Sun (1993) a newspaper reporter known as "Weasel" (Steve Buscemi) is an out-and-out criminal, accepting bribes to influence his coverage. As Antonia Zerbisias pointed out in the Toronto Star in 1993, movies and TV shows offer almost no illustrations of journalists who are not full of themselves, shallow, and indifferent to the harm they do. During Operation

Desert Storm, Saturday Night Live ridiculed American reporters who asked military spokesmen questions like "Can you tell us exactly when and where you are going to launch your attack?" "The journalists were portrayed as ignorant, arrogant and pointlessly adversarial," Jay Rosen, of New York University, wrote about the episode. "By gently rebuffing their ludicrous questions, the Pentagon briefer [on SNL ] came off as a model of sanity."

Even real-life members of the Washington pundit corps have made their way into movies—Eleanor Clift, Morton

Kondracke, hosts from Crossfire

—in 1990s releases such as

Dave and Rising Sun . Significantly, their role in the narrative is as buffoons. The joke in these movies is how rapidly the pundits leap to conclusions, how predictable their reactions are, how automatically they polarize the debate without any clear idea of what has really occurred. That reallife journalists are willing to keep appearing in such movies, knowing how they will be cast, says something about the source of self-respect in today's media: celebrity, on whatever basis, matters more than being taken seriously.

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Movies do not necessarily capture reality, but they suggest a public mood—in this case, a contrast between the apparent self-satisfaction of the media celebrities and the contempt in which they are held by the public. "The news media has a generally positive view of itself in the watchdog role," wrote the authors of an exhaustive survey of public attitudes and the attitudes of journalists themselves toward the press. (The survey was conducted by the Times Mirror Center for the

People and the Press, and was released last May.)But "the outside world strongly faults the news media for its negativism. . . . The public goes so far as to say that the press gets in the way of society solving its problems. . . ."

According to the survey, "two out of three members of the public had nothing or nothing good to say about the media."

The media establishment is beginning to get at least an inkling of this message. Through the past decade discussions among newspaper editors and publishers have been a litany of woes: fewer readers; lower "penetration" rates, as a decreasing share of the public pays attention to news; a more and more desperate search for ways to attract the public's interest. In the short run these challenges to credibility are a problem for journalists and journalism. In the longer run they are a problem for democracy.

Turning a Calling Into a Sideshow

Even if practiced perfectly, journalism will leave some resentment and bruised feelings in its wake. The justification that journalists can offer for the harm they inevitably inflict is to show, through their actions, their understanding that what they do matters and that it should be done with care.

This is why the most depressing aspect of the new talking-pundit industry may be the argument made by many practitioners: the whole thing is just a game, which no one should take too seriously. Michael Kinsley, a highly respected and indisputably talented policy journalist, has written that his paid speaking engagements are usually mock debates, in which he takes the liberal side.

Since the audiences are generally composed of affluent businessmen, my role is like that of the team that gets to lose to the Harlem Globetrotters. But Ido it because it pays well, because it's fun to fly around the country and stay in hotels, and because even a politically unsympathetic audience can provide a cheap ego boost.

Last year Morton Kondracke, of The McLaughlin Group , told Mark Jurkowitz, of The Boston Globe , "This is not writing, this is not thought." He was describing the talk-show activity to which he has devoted a major part of his time for fifteen years. "You should not take it a hundred percent seriously. Anybody who does is a fool." Fred Barnes wrote that he was happy to appear in a mock McLaughlin segment on Murphy Brown , because "the line between news and fun barely exists anymore."

The McLaughlin Group often takes its act on the road, gimmicks and all, for fees reported to be about $20,000 per appearance. Crossfire goes for paid jaunts on the road. So do panelists from The Capital Gang . Contracts for such appearances contain a routine clause specifying that the performance may not be taped or broadcast. This provision allows speakers to recycle their material, especially those who stitch together anecdotes about "the mood in Washington today." It also reassures the speakers that the sessions aren't really serious. They won't be held to account for what they say, so the normal standards don't apply.

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Yet the fact that no one takes the shows seriously is precisely what's wrong with them, because they jeopardize the credibility of everything that journalists do. "I think one of the really destructive developments in Washington in the last fifteen years has been the rise in these reporter talk shows,"Tom Brokaw has said. "Reporters used to cover policy—not spend all of their time yelling at each other and making philistine judgments about what happened the week before. It's not enlightening. It makes me cringe."

When talk shows go on the road for performances in which hostility and disagreement are staged for entertainment value; when reporters pick up thousands of dollars appearing before interest groups and sharing tidbits of what they have heard; when all the participants then dash off for the next plane, caring about none of it except the money—when these things happen, they send a message. The message is: We don't respect what we're doing. Why should anyone else?

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Why Americans Hate the Media by James Fallows

1.

How did the answers to the hypothetical question that Charles Ogletree asked Peter Jennings and Mike Wallace horrify military leaders? What would have been your answer?

2.

How were the types of questions that average Americans asked during the 1992 presidential campaign different than those of reporters?

3.

According to Fallows, what is the rationale behind reporters focusing on the politics of an issue rather than the facts behind an issue?

4.

Why don’t reporters spend more time investigating stories and issues rather than just reporting what information is given to them?

5.

Should reporters on the national level be treated with the same “star” treatment as other celebrities? Why don’t

Americans treat them that way?

6.

According to Fallows, how is the modern media out of touch with its viewers and readers when it comes to politics?

7.

How have television and movies portrayed journalists in recent years?

8.

How has television news become more like an entertainment show? What types of stories are on television news that a generation ago, would have never made headlines?

9.

How have “news” talk shows changed the public perception of journalism?

Unit V- Branches of Government-

Part A- The Congress

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Assignments

Study Guide for Chapter 11,

Article on Congress Essay

Mock Legislation Simulation

Prompted Essay

Assessments

Chapter 11 Exam- Multiple Choice and One FRQ

Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.

Mark Twain

Secondary Readings

Burke- Speech to the Electors of Bristol

Ellwood- In Praise of Pork

Riedl- Nine Thousand Earmarks

Starobin- Pork a Time Honored Tradition

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Chapter 11 Study Questions

The Congress

1.

Summarize the differences between Congress and a parliament.

2.

Why is Congress a decentralized institution and why is Congress inevitably unpopular with voters.

3.

Read through the six phases of the House of Representatives so that you are clear about the rules changes and the balance of power between the Speaker and committee chairmen. Briefly summarize phases four-six. (It is not important for you to learn the name of individual Speakers – unless you want to be a history major or quiz bowl whiz.)

4.

How has the history and structure of the Senate meant that it would be different from the House of

Representatives?

5.

What were the main issues in the development of the Senate and how were these issues settled? Make sure that you understand what these terms refer to: filibuster, cloture, Rule 22

6.

Summarize the points that Edmund Burke made in his speech to the Bristol Electors about the responsibilities of a representative to his constituents.

7.

Briefly summarize the trends in the sex and race of members of Congress.

8.

What were the reasons why there were more new members to the House in the early 1990s?

9.

Why have more congressional districts become safer for incumbent reelection?

10.

What are the possible explanations for why the Democrats dominated Congress from 1933-1994?

11.

Why has Congress become more ideologically partisan since the 1980s?

12.

Define malapportionment, gerrymandering, majority-minority districts.

13.

How have districts been designed to increase minority representation and what has the Supreme Court ruled about this? What is the difference between descriptive and substantive representation?

14.

What is the sophomore surge? Why does it happen? What effects does it have?

15.

Summarize the three theories of how members of Congress behave.

16.

Why has civility decreased among legislators?

17.

What are the principal jobs and responsibilities in the party leadership in the Senate?

18.

What are the powers of the Speaker of the House? How did Newt Gingrich change the structure of the House?

19.

Why are the members of each party so polarized today?

20.

What are caucuses and why are they important?

21.

Define the four different types of committees.

22.

How has the committee structure changed in the past 30 years? What has been the effect of these changes and how does having a large staff create a demand for more staff?

23.

What do the GAO, and CBO do?

24.

You must know 16 terms in bold on pages 313 – 318. Find some way to memorize them: choose what works for you – flashcards, notes, sleeping on them. You will be quizzed on them

25.

How can a filibuster be broken? What do the changes for breaking a filibuster mean for trying to pass a bill in the Senate.

26.

Think about it and give your opinion as to the impact the differences between the House and Senate have on policy-making. You must know the chart on p. 319 summarizing the differences between the House and

Senate. Figure out a way to learn it.

27.

Make a list of the different powers that the Constitution gives to either the House or Senate. This is a review question and you should be able to do it off the top of your head. Then go check yourself by looking at the

127

Constitution. (It’s in an appendix in the back of the book or you have your own copy.) Read through Article I,

Sections 1, 3, and 7 and Article II, Section 2. Add in anything you may have forgotten.

28.

What are the arguments for and against term limits?

29.

How have the Congressmen’s powers and perks been reduced?

30.

In general, what type of rules are there to make sure our Congress members are ethical?

31.

After reading the articles by Paul Starobin, John Ellwood and Eric Patashik, and Brian Riedl, make a list of the arguments for and against pork. Include arguments from the textbook.

32.

Look at the short article regarding Gerrymandering. How has the practice of Gerrymandering made it easier for members of Congress to remain in office? What political hurdles does a newcomer have when dealing with districts like the examples shown?

“one man, one vote”

17 th

Amendment

Attitudinal theory

Baker v. Carr (1962) bicameral

Blue Dog Democrats

Caucus

Christmas tree bill closed rule cloture cloture rule

Committee of the Whole

Committee on Committees (R)

Concurrent resolution

Conference Committees

Congressional Black Caucus

Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

Congressional courtesy

Congressional Research Service descriptive representation discharge petition double-tracking

Earmarks

Edmund Burke filibuster franking privilege

General Accounting Office (GAO) gerrymandering

Harry Reid

Holds

House Banking scandal

House Post office scandal

Joint Committees

Joint resolution logrolling

Majority and Minority leaders majority-minority districts malapportionment

Terms to Know

Marginal districts multiple referral

Nancy Pelosi

Newt Gingrich

Nongermane amendment open rule

Organizational theory

Party caucus

Party polarization

Party Whip

Policy Committee

Pork-Barrel

President Pro Tempore privileged speech quorum quorum call

Reapportionment redistricting

Representational theory restrictive rule rider roll-call vote

Rule 22

Rules Committee

Safe districts

Select Committees seniority system sequential referral

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Simple resolution sophomore surge

Speaker of the House

Standing Committees

Steering Committee (D) substantive representation term limits

Unanimous consent unicameral

US Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton (1995)

Wesberry v. Sanders 1964

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Article on Congress Assignment

Due Date – by but feel quite free to turn it in earlier.

Find one article or editorial on Congress from the past three months. The article must relate to themes that we have studied in class or in the book. Print out or cut out the article.

1. First, write up a short summary of the main points in the article.

2. Then write up how what the article says supports or contradicts what we have been studying. This is the most important part of your write-up, so be sure to pick an article that lends itself to this assignment. Also, make sure that you pick an article of sufficient length to have substance in it. My secret, nefarious goal is for you to develop your own current example of some aspect of political theory and practice that we’re studying. You will be handing this in for a grade.

Here is an easy way to find an article.

1. Go to News Google http://news.google.com/

2. Type in Congress plus one of the key terms from your study guide about something that you’re interested in such as redistricting, cloture, filibuster, pork, gerrymander, congressional courtesy, Speaker of the House, etc. Remember to put quotation marks around phrases or your search will turn up anything that has speaker, of, house in the same article. You could also put in the names of prominent members of Congress. Any article about Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid, for example, is probably about something that relates to this course.

3. Pick one of the choices that looks substantial (as in having substance and sufficient length to cover material and get you an excellent grade.)

4. Double check that the article refers to the U.S. Congress and not a state legislature. If you have any doubt, ask me.

5. You’re ready to write up the assignment.

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Mock Legislation

For homework- you will write up an idea that could be proposed as a possible law. Feel free to do some research to back up your idea; facts and figures always impress members of the legislature (your class)

Your “Law Book”- The PHS Student Handbook

The Constitution- CA Ed Code and actual Constitution (Your instructor will be playing the role of the

Supreme Court)

1. You will be divided into groups of 4-5 members each. Each group will assign different committee chairperson and a recording secretary.

2. Each committee will discuss the different bills written by each student before the activity. The committee chairperson will lead the discussion. Each student must be given at least 2 minutes to present his/her bill.

3. After the discussions, each committee will choose one particular bill to propose to the whole assembly of legislators. This shall be done through voting. Decisions will be made through majority vote.

4. After a bill has been considered, the committee will now decide what changes to make, if any, this is called the mark-up session.

5. When all changes have been made, the committee votes either to kill the bill or to report it.

6. If the committee decides to report it, they send the revised bill to the whole legislative assembly. All the members of the committees will now assume the role of the whole assembly. At this point the following leaders are chosen, presiding officer, or speaker, Sergeant at Arms, and recording-clerk.

The Speaker- They will run the assembly, deciding which order each committee will present.

Sergeant at Arms- They make sure the committees stay on track, and do not deviate from the task at hand.

Recording-clerk- They keep a written record of the decisions of the assembly.

7. Each committee will present its own proposed bill by allowing one person from the group to present the bill to the whole assembly. After the presentation, questions will be asked by members of the assembly.

These questions must be on the mechanics of the bill, in essence what impact the bill would have on the

American public.

8. After all committees have made their presentations; members of the assembly will now vote for the bill(s) they would propose to become a law(s).

Step 1- Bill Draft

What is your initial idea?

What problem would your idea solve?

How would the school enforce your idea?

Does your idea require any money to make it work?

Side A

Side A will vote on the following positions

Speaker

Sergeant at Arms

Recording Clerk

Side B

Side B will vote on the following positions

Speaker

Sergeant at Arms

Recording Clerk

Step 2: You will introduce your initial idea to your Side

Step 2 : You will introduce your initial idea to your part of the assembly

The two Sides will compare all the potential bills. Only ideas that both groups have in common will move on to the next round.

Step 3: Based on your idea(s) you will be placed into a committee to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your idea. You will debate each person’s ideas

Your committee must choose only ONE idea to take back to Side A

Step 4: What is your committees bill?

Is it good enough to win? Why?

Step 3: Based on your idea(s) you will be placed into a committee to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your idea. You will debate each person’s ideas

Your committee must choose only ONE idea to take back to Side B

Step 4: What is your committees bill?

Is it good enough to win? Why?

Each committee will appoint a spokesperson who will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your group’s idea.

Step 5: Your Speaker will decide on the order in which the committees will present with time for debate (4 minutes maximum for each committee)

Sergeant at Arms will keep track of the remaining time

Each committee will appoint a spokesperson who will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your group’s idea.

Step 5: Your Speaker will decide on the order in which the committees will present with time for debate (4 minutes maximum for each committee)

Sergeant at Arms will keep track of the remaining time

Side A will vote and choose one bill to Side B will vote and choose one bill to move move forward forward

At this time, the two sides will swap their two bills. Side A will debate the merits of Side B and vice versa If the two bills are radically different from each other, both of the sides must draft their own version of the bill. If the two bills are similar, they will move to the next step

Step 6: Both Sides will discuss the one shared bill that both groups have agreed upon. Both sides must agree that the idea has merit, has a chance of working. Both sides must agree on the language of the policy being written.

The two recording clerks will work together to draft the final version of the bill

The two Sides will vote on the Final version

The bill proposal will be presented to the Administration

Step 7 – The Administration either approves or denies the idea (veto)

Step 8- (Not going to happen tomorrow) Idea is written into the Student Handbook

Step 9- Administration begins to enforce policy in August 2012

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Description of Activity

Step 1- Draft Bill

Step 2- Introduction

Step 3- Committee Action

Step 4- Vote to Report Bill

Step5- Floor Activity

Step 6- Conference

Step 7 – Presidential Action

Step 8- Law is codified

Step 9 –Regulatory Activity

What is done at each level

131

132

Edmund Burke, Speech to the Electors of Bristol

3 Nov. 1774 Works 1:446--48

I am sorry I cannot conclude without saying a word on a topic touched upon by my worthy colleague. I wish that topic had been passed by at a time when I have so little leisure to discuss it. But since he has thought proper to throw it out, I owe you a clear explanation of my poor sentiments on that subject.

He tells you that "the topic of instructions has occasioned much altercation and uneasiness in this city;" and he expresses himself (if I understand him rightly) in favour of the coercive authority of such instructions.

Certainly, gentlemen, it ought to be the happiness and glory of a representative to live in the strictest union, the closest correspondence, and the most unreserved communication with his constituents. Their wishes ought to have great weight with him; their opinion, high respect; their business, unremitted attention. It is his duty to sacrifice his repose, his pleasures, his satisfactions, to theirs; and above all, ever, and in all cases, to prefer their interest to his own. But his unbiassed opinion, his mature judgment, his enlightened conscience, he ought not to sacrifice to you, to any man, or to any set of men living. These he does not derive from your pleasure; no, nor from the law and the constitution. They are a trust from Providence, for the abuse of which he is deeply answerable. Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.

My worthy colleague says, his will ought to be subservient to yours. If that be all, the thing is innocent. If government were a matter of will upon any side, yours, without question, ought to be superior. But government and legislation are matters of reason and judgment, and not of inclination; and what sort of reason is that, in which the determination precedes the discussion; in which one set of men deliberate, and another decide; and where those who form the conclusion are perhaps three hundred miles distant from those who hear the arguments?

To deliver an opinion, is the right of all men; that of constituents is a weighty and respectable opinion, which a representative ought always to rejoice to hear; and which he ought always most seriously to consider. But authoritative instructions; mandates issued, which the member is bound blindly and implicitly to obey, to vote, and to argue for, though contrary to the clearest conviction of his judgment and conscience,--these are things utterly unknown to the laws of this land, and which arise from a fundamental mistake of the whole order and tenor of our constitution.

Parliament is not a congress of ambassadors from different and hostile interests; which interests each must maintain, as an agent and advocate, against other agents and advocates; but parliament is a deliberative assembly of one nation, with one interest, that of the whole; where, not local purposes, not local prejudices, ought to guide, but the general good, resulting from the general reason of the whole. You choose a member indeed; but when you have chosen him, he is not member of Bristol, but he is a member of parliament . If the local constituent should have an interest, or should form an hasty opinion, evidently opposite to the real good of the rest of the community, the member for that place ought to be as far, as any other, from any endeavour to give it effect. I beg pardon for saying so much on this subject. I have been unwillingly drawn into it; but I shall ever use a respectful frankness of communication with you. Your faithful friend, your devoted servant, I shall be to the end of my life: a flatterer you do not wish for.

The Founders' Constitution

Volume 1, Chapter 13, Document 7 http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/v1ch13s7.html

The University of Chicago Press

133

Burke- Speech at Bristol Questions

1. Do you agree that the public will, or opinions of constituents, should be subordinate to the judgment of the elected representative. If 80% of a congressional district’s voters desire one policy outcome, and the representative desires another, is the representative justified in voting his conscience and not the will of his constituents? Should officials be subject to mandates and instructions from the populace?

2. What is the national interest? Can it be defined? Burke argues that a deliberative body serves on national interest, and not the diverse and hostile interests of different localities and districts. Critics of Congress often argue that it fails to serve the nation, fragmenting instead into warring factions serving narrow, local interests.

Is Burke’s reasoning still valid if there is no national interest?

3. Have recent development in American politics taken us away from Burkean theory of representation?

Recall elections, candidate-centered elections, pandering to public opinion through photo opportunities, and constant poling – do these mechanisms of modern politics threaten the freedom of elected officials to decide based on their own judgment, their trust from Providence?

134

JOHN ELLWOOD ERIC PATASHNIK

In Praise of Pork

Pork-barrel spending is high on Americans' list of gripes against Congress. "Asparagus research and mink reproduction" typify the wasteful spending that seems to enrich congressional districts and states while bankrupting the nation. John Ellwood and Eric Patashnik take a different view. Pork is not the real cause of the nation's budget crisis, they feel. In fact, pork projects may be just what members of the House and Senate need to be able to satisfy constituents in order to summon the courage to vote for real significant,' painful budget cuts. .

IN A WHITE HOUSE address. . . [in] March [1992], President Bush challenged Congress to cut $5.7 billion of pork barrel projects to help reduce the deficit. * Among the projects Bush proposed eliminating were such congressional favorites as funding for asparagus research, mink reproduction, and local parking garages. The examples he cited would be funny, said the President, "if the effect weren't so serious." . . .

Such episodes are a regular occurrence in Washington. Indeed, since the first Congress convened in 1789 and debated whether to build a lighthouse to protect the Chesapeake Bay, legislators of both parties have attempted to deliver federal funds back home for capital improvements and other projects, while presidents have tried to excise pork from the congressional diet. . . .

In recent years, public outrage over government waste has run high. Many observers see pork barrel spending not only as a symbol of an out of control Congress but as a leading cause of the nation's worsening budget deficit. To cite one prominent example, Washington Post editor Brian Kelly claims in his recent book,

Adventures in Porkland: My Washington Can't Stop Spending Your Money, that the 1992 federal budget alone contains $97 billion of pork projects so entirely without merit that they could be "lopped out" without affecting the "welfare of the nation."

Kelly's claims are surely overblown. For example, he includes the lower prices that consumers would pay if certain price supports were withdrawn, even though these savings (while certainly desirable) would for the most part not show up in the government's ledgers. Yet reductions in pork barrel spending have also been advocated by those who acknowledge that pork, properly measured, comprises only a tiny fraction of total federal outlays. For example, Kansas Democrat Jim Slattery, who led the battle in the House in 1991 against using $500,000 in federal funds to turn Lawrence WeIk's birthplace into a shrine, told Common Cause

Magazine, "it's important from the standpoint of restoring public confidence in Congress to show we are prepared to stop wasteful spending," even if the cuts are only symbolic.

In a similar vein, a recent Newsweek cover story, while conceding that "cutting out the most extreme forms of pork wouldn't eliminate the federal deficit;' emphasizes that doing so "would demonstrate that

Washington has the political will to reform its profligate ways."

The premise of these statements is that the first thing anyone-whether an individual consumer or the United

States government-trying to save money should cut out is the fluff. As Time magazine rhetorically asks:

"when Congress is struggling without much success to reduce the federal budget deficit, the question naturally arises: is pork really necessary?"

Our answer is yes. We believe in pork not because every new dam or overpass deserves to be funded, nor because we consider pork an appropriate instrument of fiscal policy (there are more efficient ways of stimulating a $5 trillion economy). Rather, we think that pork, doled out strategically, can help to sweeten an otherwise unpalatable piece of legislation.

No bill tastes so bitter to the average member of Congress as one that raises taxes or cuts popular programs. Any credible deficit-reduction package will almost certainly have to do both. In exchange for an

135 increase in pork barrel spending, however, members of Congress just might be willing to bite the bullet and make the politically difficult decisions that will be required if the federal deficit is ever to be brought under control.

In a perfect world it would not be necessary to bribe elected officials to perform their jobs well. But, as

James Madison pointed out two centuries ago in Federalist 51, men are not angels and we do not live in a perfect world. The object of government is therefore not to suppress the imperfections of human nature, which would be futile, but rather to harness the pursuit of self-interest to public ends.

Unfortunately, in the debate over how to reduce the deficit, Madison's advice has all too often gone ignored. Indeed, if there is anything the major budget-reform proposals of the last decade (Gramm-Rudman, the balanced-budget amendment, an entitlement cap*) have in common, it is that in seeking to impose artificial limits on government spending without offering anything in return, they work against the electoral interests of congressmen instead of with them - which is why these reforms have been so vigorously resisted.

No reasonable observer would argue that pork barrel spending has always been employed as a force for good or that there are no pork projects what would have been better left unbuilt. But singling out pork as the culprit for our fiscal troubles directs attention away from the largest sources of budgetary growth and contributes to the illusion that the budget can be balanced simply by eliminating waste and abuse. While proposals to achieve a pork-tree budget are not without superficial appeal, they risk depriving leaders trying to enact real deficit-reduction measures of one of the most effective coalition-building tools at their disposal.

In order to appreciate why congressmen are so enamored of pork it is helpful to understand exactly what pork is. But defining pork is not as easy as it sounds. According to Congressional Quarterly, pork is usually considered to be "wasteful" spending that flows to a particular state or district in order to please voters back home. Like beauty, however, waste is in the eye of the beholder. As University of Michigan budget expert Edward M. Gramlich puts it, "one guy's pork is another guy's red meat" To a district plagued by double-digit unemployment, a new highway project is a sound investment, regardless of local transportation needs.

Some scholars simply define pork as any program that is economically inefficient-that is, any program whose total costs exceed its total benefits. But this definition tars with the same brush both real pork and programs that, while inefficient, can be justified on grounds of distributional equity or in which geographic legislative influence is small or nonexistent.

A more promising approach is suggested by political scientist David Mayhew in his 1974 book,

Congress: The Electoral Connection. According to Mayhew, congressional life consists largely of "a relentless search" for ways of claiming credit for making good things happen back home and thereby increasing the likelihood of remaining in office. Because there are 535 congressmen and not o ne, each individual congressman must try to "peel off pieces of governmental accomplishment for which he can believably generate a sense of responsibility." For most congressmen, the easiest way of doing this is to supply goods to their home districts.

From this perspective, the ideal pork barrel project has three key properties. First, benefits are conferred on a specific geographical constituency small enough to allow a single congressman to be recognized as the benefactor. Second, benefits are given out in such a fashion as to lead constituents to believe that the congressman had a hand in the allocation. Third, costs resulting from the project are widely diffused or otherwise obscured from taxpayer notice.

Political pork, then, offers a congressman's constituents an array of benefits at little apparent cost.

Because pork projects are easily distinguished by voters from the ordinary outputs of government, they provide an incumbent with the opportunity to portray himself as a "prime mover" who deserves to be

136 reelected. When a congressman attends a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a shiny new building in his district, every voter can see that he is accomplishing something in Washington. . . .

"It's outrageous that you've got to have such political payoffs to get Congress to do the nation's business," says James Miller, OMB director under Ronald Reagan. Miller's outrage is understandable but ultimately unproductive. Human nature and the electoral imperative being what they are, the pork barrel is here to stay.

But if pork is a permanent part of the political landscape, it is incumbent upon leaders to ensure that taxpayers get something for their money. Our most effective presidents have been those who have linked the distribution of pork to the achievement of critical national objectives. When Franklin Roosevelt discovered he could not develop an atomic bomb without the support of Tennessee Senator Kenneth McKellar, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, he readily agreed to locate the bomb facility in Oak Ridge. By contrast, our least effective presidents-Jimmy Carter comes to mind-have either given away plum projects for nothing or waged hopeless battles against pork, squandering scarce political capital and weakening their ability to govern in the process.

The real value of pork projects ultimately lies in their ability to induce rational legislators into taking electorally risky actions for the sake of the public good. Over the last ten years, as the discretionary part of the budget has shrunk, congressmen have had fewer and fewer opportunities to claim credit for directly aiding their constituents. As Brookings scholar R. Kent Weaver has argued, in an era of scarcity and difficult political choices, many legislators gave up on trying to accomplish anything positive, focusing their energies instead on blame avoidance. The result has been the creation of a political climate in which elected officials now believe the only way they can bring the nation back to fiscal health is to injure their own electoral chances. This cannot be good for the future of the republic.

Politics got us into the deficit mess, however, and only politics can get us out. According to both government and private estimates, annual deficits will soar after the mid-1990s, and could exceed $600 billion in 2002 if the economy performs poorly. Virtually every prominent mainstream economist agrees that reducing the deficit significantly will require Congress to do what it has been strenuously trying to avoid for more than a decade-rein in spending for Social Security, Medicare, and other popular, middle-class entitlement programs. Tax increases may also be necessary. From the vantage point of the average legislator, the risk of electoral retribution seems enormous.

If reductions in popular programs and increases in taxes are required to put our national economic house back in order, the strategic use of pork to obtain the support of key legislators for these measures will be crucial. . . .

. . . [T]he president should ignore the advice of fiscal puritans who would completely exorcise pork from the body politic. Favoring legislators with small gifts for their districts in order to achieve great things for the nation is an act not of sin but of statesmanship. To be sure, determining how much pork is needed and to which members it should be distributed is difficult. Rather than asking elected officials to become selfless angels, however, we would ask of them only that they be smart politicians. We suspect Madison would agree that the latter request has a far better chance of being favorably received.

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Starobin, Paul. “Pork: A Time-Honored Tradition.”

POLITICAL PORK. Since the first Congress convened two centuries ago, lawmakers have ladled it out to home constituencies in the form of cash for roads, bridges and sundry other civic projects. It is a safe bet that the distribution of such largess will continue for at least as long into the future.*

Pork-barrel politics, in fact, is as much a part of the congressional scene as the two parties or the rules of courtesy for floor debate. . . .

And yet pork-barrel politics always has stirred controversy. Critics dislike seeing raw politics guiding decisions on the distribution of federal money for parochial needs. They say disinterested experts, if possible, should guide that money flow.

And fiscal conservatives wonder how Congress will ever get a handle on the federal budget with so many lawmakers grabbing so forcefully for pork-barrel funds. "Let's change the system so we don't have so much porking," says James C. Miller III, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Miller says he gets complaints on the order of one a day from congressional members taking issue with OMB suggestions that particular

"pork" items in the budget are wasteful.

But pork has its unabashed defenders. How, these people ask, can lawmakers ignore the legitimate demands of their constituents? When a highway needs to be built or a waterway constructed, the home folks quite naturally look to their congressional representative for help. Failure to respond amounts to political suicide.

I’ve really always been a defender of pork-barreling because that's what I think people elect us for," says Rep.

Douglas H. Bosco, D-Calif.

Moreover, many accept pork as a staple of the legislative process, lubricating the squeaky wheels of Congress by giving members a personal stake in major bills. . . .

Not only does the flow of pork continue pretty much unabated, it seems to be spreading to areas that traditionally haven't been subject to pork-barrel competition. Pork traditionally was identified with public- works projects such as roads, bridges, dams and harbors. But, as the economy and country have changed, lawmakers have shifted their appetites to what might be called "post-industrial" pork. Some examples:

Green Pork. During the 1960s and 1970s, when dam-builders fought epic struggles with environmentalists,

"pork-barrel" projects stereotypically meant bulldozers and concrete. But many of today's projects are more likely to draw praise than blame from environmentalists. The list includes sewer projects, waste-site cleanups, solar energy laboratories, pollution-control research, parks and park improvements and fish hatcheries, to name a few. . . .

Academic Pork. Almost no federal funds for construction of university research facilities are being appropriated these days, except for special projects sponsored by lawmakers for campuses back home. Many of the sponsors sit on the Appropriations committees, from which they are well positioned to channel such funds. . . .

Defense Pork. While the distribution of pork in the form of defense contracts and location of military installations certainly isn't new, there's no question that Reagan's military buildup has expanded opportunities for lawmakers to practice pork-barrel politics. . . .

This spread of the pork-barrel system to new areas raises a question: What exactly is pork? Reaching a definition isn't easy. Many people consider it wasteful spending that flows to a particular state or district and is sought to please the folks back home.

But what is wasteful? One man's boondoggle is another man's civic pride. Perhaps the most sensible definition is that which a member seeks for his own state or district but would not seek for anyone else's constituency.

Thus, pork goes to the heart of the age-old tension between a lawmaker's twin roles as representative of a particular area and member of a national legislative body. In the former capacity, the task is to promote the local interest; in the latter it is to weigh the national interest. . . .

138

Like other fraternities, the system has a code of behavior and a pecking order. It commands loyalty and serves the purpose of dividing up federal money that presumably has to go somewhere, of helping re-elect incumbents and of keeping the wheels of legislation turning. . . .

When applied with skill, pork can act as a lubricant to smooth passage of complex legislation. At the same time, when local benefits are distributed for merely "strategic" purposes, it can lead to waste. . . .

Just about everyone agrees that the budget crunch has made the competition to get pet projects in spending legislation more intense. Demand for such items has not shrunk nearly as much as the pool of available funds.

*The interesting, little-known, and ignominious origin of the term "pork barrel" comes from early in American history, when a barrel of salt pork was given to slaves as a reward for their work. The slaves had to compete among themselves to get their piece of the handout. -Eds.

139

Nine Thousand Earmarks

By: Brian Riedl

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Even a recession and record $1.4 trillion budget deficit has not altered Congress's business-as-usual culture of spending and pork. While families and entrepreneurs are responsibly bringing their own budgets under control, Congress is spending and earmarking as if nothing has changed in the economy. The House has already passed—and the Senate will soon take up—a mammoth FY 2009 omnibus appropriation bill [1] that:

Provides an 8 percent discretionary spending hike for the second consecutive year;

Combines with the "stimulus" bill for a staggering 80 percent increase in these discretionary programs;

May contribute to a permanent $2,000 per-household tax hike;

Contains 9,287 pork projects at a cost of nearly $13 billion; and

Likely terminates the Washington, D.C., school voucher program, removing 1,715 low-income students from their current schools.

This bill represents nearly everything Democrats had criticized about the earlier Republican Congresses. It forces lawmakers to vote quickly on a bloated package combining nine separate appropriations bills. It irresponsibly expands the already-record budget deficit. And despite strongly worded proclamations about cleaning up Washington, the 2009 appropriation bills will have the second-most earmarks in history. During this time of recession and skyrocketing budget deficits, America cannot afford budgets that continue to spend and earmark as usual.

Runaway Spending

The omnibus spending bill increases discretionary spending by 8 percent for the second consecutive year. But that is only part of the story. These same discretionary programs have already received much of the colossal $1.1 trillion stimulus bill enacted recently. Counting those funds, this omnibus spending will finalize a staggering 80 percent spending increase for these programs in 2009—from $378 billion to $680 billion (see Chart 1).

[2] This spending binge is virtually unprecedented in

American history.

Domestic discretionary programs—the subject of most of the omnibus bill—have not exactly been starved in the past, either.

From 2001 through 2008, these programs grew 23 percent faster than inflation, due in part to large increases for education (35 percent), health research (37 percent), and veterans' benefits (54 percent).

[3] Clearly, these programs do not need even more budget increases. Yet rather than ask federal agencies to join the American people in some recessionary belt-tightening,

Congress expanded these programs by 8 percent last year and is in the process of adding another 8 percent this year—not even counting the historic 71 percent hike resulting from the "stimulus."

Some insist that this "stimulus" spending will be only temporary. Yet it is difficult to imagine lawmakers allowing programs like Pell grants and health spending to return to their original levels in two years. Consequently, much of this 80 percent discretionary spending surge is likely to eventually become part of the permanent discretionary spending baseline. This would permanently raise spending—and therefore taxes—by over $2,000 per household annually.

Regrettably, the omnibus bill does not offset this new spending. In failing to offer spending reductions, congressional appropriators ignored:

At least $55 billion in annual program overpayments;

$60 billion for corporate welfare;

$123 billion for programs for which government auditors can find no evidence of success;

$140 billion in potential budget savings identified in the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) "Budget Options" books; and

Massive program duplication, such as the 342 economic development programs, the 130 programs serving the disabled, the 130 programs serving at-risk youth, and the 90 early childhood development programs.

[4]

Unfortunately, taxpayers should perhaps expect more of the same over the next few years. President Obama has already signed into law a large expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), as well as a budget-busting $1.1 trillion "stimulus" bill. Many of the "stimulus" provisions—such as education, infrastructure, and the weakening of the 1996

140 welfare reforms—are long-term government expansions that have nothing to do with immediate stimulus. President Obama has not yet offered the tough decisions he has promised.

9,287 Earmarks

Although Democrats strongly criticized the proliferation of earmarks under Republican rule, they have made no serious efforts to pare them back. The omnibus bill spends $12.8 billion on 9,287 earmarks.

[5] When combined with the early 2009 spending bills ($16.1 billion spent on 2,627 earmarks [6] ), the 2009 total comes to 11,914 earmarks at a cost of $28.9 billion.

This represents the second most earmarks—and the second highest cost—in American history.

[7]

Clearly, the earmark culture has not been swept away. The Washington Post recently summarized a Taxpayers for Common

Sense study that found that "60 percent of the members of the House Armed Services Committee who arranged earmarks also received campaign contributions from the companies that received the funding. Almost all the members of the committee received campaign contributions from companies that got earmarks this year." [8] And yet despite repeated scandals—some resulting in lawmakers being sentenced to prison—the number of annual earmarks continues to increase. Lawmakers have even rejected a modest proposal to temporarily suspend earmarks until the process can be cleaned up.

[9]

In addition to waste and corruption, lawmakers' obsession with pork raises a larger concern about the role of Congress.

Members of the U.S. Congress—a national legislature that has historically debated war, Americans' rights, and broad economic policy—have become, in the words of Rep. Dan Lungren (R–CA), "mere errand boys for local government and constituents." [10]

The American people elected their federal lawmakers to focus on national priorities like recession, job losses, the financial collapse, and the war on terrorism. And yet these lawmakers failed to pass appropriations bills by the start of the fiscal year and instead spent a substantial portion of 2008 securing pork projects such as:

* $1,049,000 to combat Mormon Crickets in Utah;

* $332,500 to build a school sidewalk in Franklin, Texas;

* $225,000 for Everybody Wins!;

* $200,000 for a tattoo removal program in Mission Hills, California;

* $190,000 for the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming;

* $237,500 for theater renovation in Merced, California; and

* $75,000 for the Totally Teen Zone in Albany, Georgia.

View a list of pork projects in the FY 2009 omnibus .

Tending to such matters is why state and local governments exist. Perhaps Congress does not believe that local governments can handle the job; former House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R–IL) endorsed congressional pork by asking rhetorically, "Who knows best where to put a bridge or a highway or a red light in their district?" [11] Not mayors or city councils, apparently.

Of course, lawmakers say these projects are vital to "bringing home federal dollars." In reality, many earmarks are carved out of funding streams that were already coming back to state and local governments and local organizations anyway. All of the earmarks taken from the $5 billion Community Development Block Grant program for parks, pools, street signs, and community centers just reduce the pot of money left over to distribute to local governments for the projects they would choose. And by diverting transportation dollars into projects that are often frivolous and having nothing to do with reducing congestion or improving mobility, earmarks starve higher-priorities like road maintenance and construction, which in turn forces Congress to increase spending to replenish that funding. But earmarks generate press releases and campaign contributions for lawmakers who have only tied strings to federal money that was already coming home.

Last year, President Bush signed an executive order mandating that federal agencies ignore earmarks that appear in nonbinding conference reports and instead implement only those in the bill text.

[12] That executive order currently remains in effect. President Obama, who campaigned on ending politics-as-usual in Washington, could strike a blow to the earmark culture by simply leaving this executive order in place. Doing so would eliminate all earmarks that Congress has not incorporated by reference into the omnibus bill text. He should go one step further and veto any omnibus bill that explicitly has earmarks.

No End in Sight

141

In the past six months, Congress has enacted a $700 billion financial bailout and a $1.1 trillion stimulus. It has also expanded health insurance subsidies and is considering an expensive homeowner bailout. Now, with an 8 percent discretionary spending hike, Congress has seemingly lost the ability to say "no." Runaway spending and budget deficits threaten to steeply increase interest rates and eventually result in painful tax increases. If Congress cannot even reduce the number of pork projects in this environment, there is little reason to believe it is ready to make the truly difficult choices on large programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. If Congress cannot strip the unnecessary earmarks and pare back the spending increase in this omnibus bill, the President should show the nation he is well prepared to use his veto pen.

ENDNOTES:

[1] Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, H.R. 1105, 111th Cong., 1st Sess.

[2] Based on data provided by the House Appropriations Committee, Minority Staff.

[3] Brian M. Riedl, "Federal Spending by the Numbers: 2008," Heritage Foundation WebMemo No. 1829, February 25, 2008, at http://www.heritage.org/Research/Taxes/wm1829.cfm

.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Earlier FY 2009 earmark totals are listed at CR + Minibus + Supplemental Spending, Budget Committee, U.S. House of

Representatives, 111th Cong., 1st Sess., September 24, 2008, at http://www.house.gov/budget_ republicans/press/2007/pr20080924minibus.pdf (March 2, 2009).

[6] Omnibus earmark totals calculated by The Heritage Foundation using Congressional data.

[7] See Citizens Against Government Waste, "Pork-Barrel Report," at http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=reports_porkbarrelreport (March 2, 2009). Only in FY 2005 did the number and (inflation-adjusted) cost of earmarks exceed this year's total.

[8] Robert O'Harrow, Jr., "Earmark Spending Makes a Comeback," The Washington Post, June 13, 2008 at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp- dyn/content/article/2008/06/12/AR2008061204282_pf.html (March 2, 2009).

[9] By a 71–29 vote, the Senate rejected a temporary earmark moratorium on March 13, 2008. See U.S. Senate, "U.S. Senate

Roll Call Votes 110th Congress: 2nd Session," at http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_c all_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00075 (March 2, 2009).

[10] John Fund, "Time for a Time-Out?" OpinionJournal.com, September 18, 2006, at http://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110008960 (March 2, 2009).

[11] Robert Novak, "Looking to Fry Pork," The Washington Post, January 30, 2006, p. A17.

[12] Executive Order No. 13457, January 29, 2008.

142

Gerrymandering

The term gerrymandering is derived from Elbridge Gerry (1744-1814), the governor of Massachusetts from 1810 to

1812. In 1812, Governor Gerry signed a bill into law that redistricted his state to overwhelmingly benefit his party, the

Republican Party. The opposition party, the Federalists, were quite upset.

Governor Gerry went on to become vice president under James Madison from 1813 until his death a year later. Gerry was the second vice president to die in office.

One of the congressional districts was shaped very strangely and, as the story goes, one Federalist remarked that the district looked like a salamander. No, said another Federalist, it’s a gerrymander. The Boston Weekly Messenger brought the term gerrymander into common usage when it subsequently printed an editorial cartoon that showed the district in question with a monster’s head, arms, and tail and named the creature a gerrymander.

Gerrymandering Examples

The unusual earmuff shape of Illinois's 4th congressional district connects two Hispanic neighborhoods while remaining connected by narrowly tracing Interstate 294.

143

A similar district is New York's 28th congressional district which connects the heavily Democratic cities of Rochester and Buffalo with a narrow strip of territory hugging the Lake Ontario and Niagara River coastlines to connect them.

Arizona's 2nd congressional district contains the northwestern corner of the state, and some of the western suburbs of

Phoenix. The odd shape of the district is indicative of the use of gerrymandering in its construction. The unusual division was not, however, drawn to favor politicians. Owing to historic tensions between the Hopi and the Navajo, and since tribal boundary disputes are a Federal matter, it was thought inappropriate that both tribes should be represented by the same U.S. House of Representatives member. Since the Hopi reservation is completely surrounded by the Navajo reservation, and in order to comply with current Arizona redistricting laws, some means of connection was required that avoided including large portions of Navajo land, hence the narrow riverine connection.

List of faithless electors

The following is a list of all faithless electors (most recent first). The number preceding each entry is the number of faithless electors for the given year.

144

(1) 2004 election : A Minnesota elector, pledged for Democrats John Kerry and John Edwards , cast his or her presidential vote for John Ewards (sic), apparently accidentally. (All of Minnesota's electors cast their vice presidential ballots for John Edwards .) Minnesota's electors cast secret ballots, so unless one of the electors claims responsibility, it is unlikely that the identity of the faithless elector will ever be known. As a result of this incident, Minnesota Statutes were amended to provide for public balloting of the electors' votes and invalidation of a vote cast for someone other than the candidate pledged for by the elector.

(1) 2000 election : D.C.

Elector Barbara Lett-Simmons , pledged for Democrats Al Gore and Joe Lieberman , cast no electoral votes as a protest of Washington D.C.'s lack of statehood, which she described as the federal district's

"colonial status".

(1) 1988 election : West Virginia Elector Margaret Leach , pledged for Democrats Michael Dukakis and Lloyd

Bentsen , instead of casting her votes for the candidates in their positions on the national ticket, cast her presidential vote for Bentsen and her vice presidential vote for Dukakis.

(-) 1984 election : In Illinois , the electors, pledged to Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush , conducted their vote in a secret ballot. When the electors voted for Vice President, one of the votes was for Geraldine Ferraro , the

Democratic nominee. After several minutes of confusion, a second ballot was taken. Bush won unanimously in this ballot, and it was this ballot that was reported to Congress.

(1) 1976 election : Washington Elector Mike Padden , pledged for Republican Gerald Ford and Bob Dole , cast his presidential electoral vote for Ronald Reagan , who had challenged Ford for the Republican nomination. He cast his vice presidential vote, as pledged, for Dole.

(1) 1972 election : Virginia Elector Roger MacBride , pledged for Republicans Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew , cast his electoral votes for Libertarian candidates John Hospers and Theodora Nathan . MacBride's vote for Nathan was the first electoral vote cast for a woman in U.S. history. MacBride became the Libertarian candidate for President in the 1976 election .

(1) 1968 election : North Carolina Elector Lloyd W. Bailey , pledged for Republicans Richard Nixon and Spiro

Agnew , cast his votes for American Independent Party candidates George Wallace and Curtis LeMay

(1) 1960 election : Oklahoma Elector Henry D. Irwin , pledged for Republicans Richard Nixon and Henry Cabot

Lodge, Jr.

, cast his presidential electoral vote for independent candidate Harry Flood Byrd . Unlike other electors who voted for Byrd for president, Irwin cast his vice presidential electoral vote for Barry Goldwater .

(1) 1956 election : Alabama Elector W. F. Turner , pledged for Democrats Adlai Stevenson and Estes Kefauver , cast his votes for Walter Burgwyn Jones and Herman Talmadge .

(1) 1948 election : Two Tennessee electors were on both the Democratic Party and the States' Rights Democratic

Party slates. When the Democratic Party slate won, one of these electors voted for the Democratic nominees Harry

Truman and Alben Barkley . The other, Preston Parks , cast his votes for States' Rights Democratic Party candidates Strom Thurmond and Fielding Wright , making him a faithless elector.

(8) 1912 election : Republican vice presidential candidate James S. Sherman died before the election. Eight

Republican electors had pledged their votes to him but voted for Nicholas Murray Butler instead.

145

(4) 1896 election : The Democratic Party and the People’s Party both ran William Jennings Bryan as their presidential candidate, but ran different candidates for Vice President. The Democratic Party nominated Arthur Sewall and the People’s Party nominated Thomas Watson . The People’s Party won 31 electoral votes but four of those electors voted with the Democratic ticket, supporting Bryan as President and Sewall as Vice President.

(63) 1872 election : 63 electors for Horace Greeley changed their votes after Greeley's death. Greeley's remaining three electors cast their presidential votes for Greeley and had their votes discounted by Congress.

(23) 1836 election : The Democratic Party nominated Richard M. Johnson of Kentucky as their vice presidential candidate. The 23 electors from Virginia refused to support Johnson with their votes upon learning of the allegation that he had lived with an African-American woman. There was no majority in the Electoral College and the decision was deferred to the Senate, which supported Johnson as the Vice President.

(32) 1832 election : Two National Republican Party electors from the state of Maryland refused to vote for presidential candidate Henry Clay and did not cast a vote for him or for his running mate. All 30 electors from Pennsylvania refused to support the Democratic vice presidential candidate Martin Van Buren , voting instead for William Wilkins .

(7) 1828 election : Seven (of nine) electors from Georgia refused to vote for vice presidential candidate John

Calhoun . All seven cast their vice presidential votes for William Smith instead.

(1) 1820 election : William Plumer pledged to vote for Democratic Republican candidate James Monroe , but he cast his vote for John Quincy Adams who was also a Democratic Republican , but was not a candidate in the 1820 election. Some historians contend that Plumer did not feel that the Electoral College should unanimously elect any

President other than George Washington, but this claim is disputed. (Monroe lost another three votes because three electors died before casting ballots and were not replaced.)

(4) 1812 election : Three electors pledged to vote for Federalist vice presidential candidate Jared Ingersoll voted for

Democratic Republican Elbridge Gerry . One Ohio elector did not vote.

(6) 1808 election : Six electors from New York were pledged to vote for Democratic Republican James Madison as

President and George Clinton as Vice President. Instead, they voted for Clinton to be President, with three voting for

Madison as Vice President and the other three voting for James Monroe to be Vice President.

(1) 1796 election : Samuel Miles , an elector from Pennsylvania , was pledged to vote for Federalist presidential candidate John Adams , but voted for Democratic Republican candidate Thomas Jefferson . He cast his other presidential vote as pledged for Thomas Pinckney . (This election took place prior to the passage of the 12th

Amendment , so there were not separate ballots for president and vice president.)

Unit V- Branches of Government-

Part B The Presidency and the Bureaucracy

146

“The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”

Assignments

Chapter 12 and 13 Study Guides

Checks that Weaken the Presidency (ws)

Congress v. The President: Who Has More Power (ws)

Federal Government Leaders Chart (ws)

Assessments

Unit Exam- Chapter 12 and 13- Multiple Choice and Two

FRQs

Ronald Reagan

Secondary Readings

Neustadt- Presidential Power and the Modern President-

Presidential Power Questions

Weber- Bureaucracy

147

Chapter 12 Study Questions

The Presidency

1.

List the differences between a president and a prime minister.

2.

What does it mean to have a divided or a unified government? Why do we still have gridlock, even with a unified government?

3.

What are the arguments for why we have gridlock?

4.

How does the difference between representative and direct democracy explain gridlock?

5.

What concerns did the Founders have about the idea of having of president? How did the creation of the

Electoral College allay those fears?

6.

You don’t need to know the details of presidencies before FDR, but the historical trends are important. The book talks about our modern concept of the presidency. When did that really begin and what counter-evidence is there to that concept?

7.

Learn the list of presidential powers. You should know all of them. Pay attention to which powers the

Presidents shares with the Senate or Congress as a whole or has sole power.

8.

What are the three structures for a president to organize his staff? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

9.

Explain how much influence the president has over his cabinet officials and agency heads.

10.

Why is there a tension between the White House staff and cabinet secretaries?

11.

Explain the differences in the three audiences that the president speaks to. Think about how Presidents Clinton and Bush have managed to address these three audiences.

12.

Explain the reasons why the president’s popularity does and does not have an effect on getting congressional support for his programs.

13.

Give details about the following terms: veto message, pocket veto, line-item veto, and executive privilege, and impoundment of funds

14.

What are the four groups that the book talks about who have input on a president’s program? Be familiar with the strengths and weaknesses

15.

What are the three constraints on the president’s ability to plan a program?

16.

What is the role of political polls in decision-making? What are the two models the book describes for using polls?

17.

What is the present line of succession if the president should die in office?

18.

Summarize the conclusion the text makes about the power of the president and the federal government.

Ad hoc structure

Cabinet

Circular structure

Delegate model

Direct democracy

Divided government

Impeachment

Lame duck

Legislative veto

Terms to Know

Line item veto

Perks

Pocket veto

Pyramid structure

Representative democracy

Trustee approach

Unified government

Veto message

148

Chapter 13 Study Questions

The Bureaucracy

1.

What makes American bureaucracy distinctive?

2.

What controls does Congress have over the bureaucracy?

3.

What concerns does the president have in choosing whom to appoint? How have these concerns changed since the 19 th century?

4.

How and why has the role of bureaucratic agencies changed since the Civil War?

5.

How does the manner in which officials are recruited and rewarded explain their behavior?

6.

How do the personal attributes and political attitudes affect their behavior?

7.

How can bureaucrats sabotage their political bosses?

8.

What are the constraints on what an agency can do? Why do we have such constraints and what effect do these constraints have on agency behavior?

9.

Explain what iron triangles are and why they are less common today.

10.

How does Congress exercise supervision over the bureaucracy? Explain all the different methods of oversight.

11.

What are the five bureaucratic pathologies that the book identifies? Explain why each exists. Why is it so difficult to reform the bureaucracy?

Divided government

Unified Government

Representative democracy

Direct democracy

Electoral college

Faithless electors

Pyramid structure

Circular structure

Ad hoc structure

Cabinet

Office of Management and Budget

Terms to Know

United States v. Nixon (1973)

Congressional Budget and Impoundment

Laissez-faire economics

16 th Amendment

Act (1974)

Impoundment

War Powers Act (1973)

Discretionary authority

Competitive service

Trustee approach and Delegate model Office of Personnel Management

Independent Counsel law

Lame duck

Presidential Succession Act of 1947

Excepted service

Merit system

Civil Service Reform Act of

1978

12 th Amendment

22 nd Amendment

Hatch Act (1933 and 1993)

Whistle Blower Protection Act

Executive Office of the President 25 th Amendment

Impeachment

(OMB)

National Security Council (NSC) Bully Pulpit

(1989)

Issues network

Authorization legislation

Appropriations

Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) Inherent power

Executive Agencies Executive orders

Independent Agencies

Acting appointments

Presidential honeymoon

Veto message and pocket veto

Line-item veto

Approval ratings

Imperial presidency

Rule of propinquity bureaucracy patronage

Clinton v. New York City

Executive privilege

(1998) spoils system

Pendleton Act (1883)

Committee clearance

Legislative veto

INS v. Chadha 1983)

Red tape

National Performance Review

Going native

Freedom of Information Act

(1966)

National Environmental Policy

Act (1969)

149

December 20, 2005

RICHARD NEUSTADT

Presidential Power and the Modern President

From this often-read book comes the classic concept of presidential power as "the power to persuade. " Richard Neustadt observed the essence of presidential power when working in the executive branch during Franklin Roosevelt's term as president. He stayed to serve under President Truman. It is said that President Kennedy brought Presidential Power with him to the White House, and

Neustadt worked briefly for JFK. The first half of the excerpt, in which he shows how presidents' well-developed personal characteristics permit successful persuasive abilities, comes from the book's first edition. The excerpt's closing pages reflect

Neustadt's recent musings on the nation, on world affairs, and on the challenges presidents face.

IN THE EARLY summer of 1952, before the heat of the campaign, President [Harry] Truman used to contemplate the problems of the general-become-President should [Dwight David] Eisenhower win the forthcoming election. "He'll sit here," Truman would remark (tapping his desk for emphasis), "and he'll say, 'Do this! Do that!' And nothing will happen. Poor Ike-it won't be a bit like the

Army. He'll find it very frustrating."

Eisenhower evidently found it so. "In the face of the continuing dissidence and disunity, the President sometimes simply exploded with exasperation," wrote Robert Donovan in comment on the early months of Eisenhower's first term. "What was the use, he demanded to know, of his trying to lead the Republican Party. ..... And this reaction was not limited to early months alone, or to his party only. "The President still feels," an Eisenhower aide remarked to me in 1958, "that when he's decided something, that ought to be the end of it ... and when it bounces back undone or done wrong, he tends to react with shocked surprise."

Truman knew whereof he spoke. With "resignation" in the place of "shocked surprise," the aide's description would have fitted

Truman. The former senator may have been less shocked than the former general, but he was no less subjected to that painful and repetitive experience: "Do this, do that, and nothing will happen." Long before he came to talk of Eisenhower he had put his own experience in other words: "I sit here all day trying to persuade people to do the things they ought to have sense enough to do without my persuading them.... That's all the powers of the President amount to."

In these words of a President, spoken on the job, one finds the essence of the problem now before us: "powers" are no guarantee of power; clerkship is no guarantee of leadership. The President of the United States has an extraordinary range of formal powers, of authority in statute law and in the Constitution. Here is testimony that despite his "powers" he does not obtain results by giving orders-or not, at any rate, merely by giving orders. He also has extraordinary status, ex officio, according to the customs of our government and politics. Here is testimony that despite his status he does not get action without argument. Presidential power is the power to persuade....

The limits on command suggest the structure of our government. The Constitutional Convention of 1787 is supposed to have created a government of "separated powers." It did nothing of the sort. Rather, it created a government of separated institutions sharing powers. "I am part of the legislative process," Eisenhower often said in 1959 as a reminder of his veto. Congress, the dispenser of authority and funds, is no less part of the administrative process. Federalism adds another set of separated institutions.

The Bill of Rights adds others. Many public purposes can only be achieved by voluntary acts of private institutions; the press, for one, in Douglass Cater's phrase, is a "fourth branch of government." And with the coming of alliances abroad, the separate institutions of a London, or a Bonn, share in the making of American public policy.

What the Constitution separates our political parties do not combine. The parties are themselves composed of separated organizations sharing public authority. The authority consists of nominating powers. Our national parties are confederations of state and local party institutions, with a headquarters that represents the White House, more or less, if the party has a President in office.

These confederacies manage presidential nominations. All other public offices depend upon electorates confined within the states.

All other nominations are controlled within the states. The President and congressmen who bear one party's label are divided by dependence upon different sets of voters. The differences are sharpest at the stage of nomination. The White House has too small a share in nominating congressmen, and Congress has too little weight in nominating presidents for party to erase their constitutional separation. Party links are stronger than is frequently supposed, but nominating processes assure the separation.

The separateness of institutions and the sharing of authority prescribe the terms on which a President persuades. When one man shares authority with another, but does not gain or lose his job upon the other's whim, his willingness to act upon the urging of the other turns on whether he conceives the action right for him. The essence of a President's persuasive task is to convince such men that what the White House wants of them is what they ought to do for their sake and on their authority. (Sex matters not at all; for man read woman.)

Persuasive power, thus defined, amounts to more than charm or reasoned argument. These have their uses for a President, but these are not the whole of his resources. For the individuals he would induce to do what he wants done on their own responsibility will

150 need or fear some acts by him on his responsibility. If they share his authority, he has some share in theirs. Presidential "powers" may be inconclusive when a President commands, but always remain relevant as he persuades. The status and authority inherent in his office reinforce his logic and his charm....

A President's authority and status give him great advantages in dealing with the men he would persuade. Each "power" is a vantage point for him in the degree that other men have use for his authority. From the veto to appointments, from publicity to budgeting, and so down a long list, the White House now controls the most encompassing array of vantage points in the American political system. With hardly an exception, those who share in governing this country are aware that at some time, in some degree, the doing of their jobs, the furthering of their ambitions, may depend upon the President of the United States. Their need for presidential action, or their fear of it, is bound to be recurrent if not actually continuous. Their need or fear is his advantage.

A President's advantages are greater than mere listing of his "powers" might suggest. Those with whom he deals must deal with him until the last day of his term. Because they have continuing relationships with him, his future, while it lasts, supports his present influence. Even though there is no need or fear of him today, what he could do tomorrow may supply today's advantage. Continuing relationships may convert any "power,' any aspect of his status, into vantage points in almost any case. When he induces other people to do what he wants done, a President can trade on their dependence now and later.

The President's advantages are checked by the advantages of others. Continuing relationships will pull in both directions. These are relationships of mutual dependence. A President depends upon the persons whom he would persuade; he has to reckon with his need or fear of them. They too will possess status, or authority, or both, else they would be of little use to him. Their vantage points confront his own; their power tempers his....

The power to persuade is the power to bargain. Status and authority yield bargaining advantages. But in a government of "separated institutions sharing powers," they yield them to all sides. With the array of vantage points at his disposal, a President may be far more persuasive than his logic or his charm could make him. But outcomes are not guaranteed by his advantages. There remain the counter pressures those whom he would influence can bring to bear on him from vantage points at their disposal. Command has limited utility; persuasion becomes give-and-take. It is well that the White House holds the vantage points it does. In such a business any President may need them all-and more....

When a President confronts divergent policy advisers, disputing experts, conflicting data, and uncertain outlooks, yet must choose, there plainly are some other things he can do for himself besides consulting his own power stakes. But there is a proviso-provided he has done that first and keeps clear in his mind how much his prospects may depend on his authority, how much on reputation, how much on public standing. In the world Reagan inhabited where reputation and prestige are far more intertwined than they had been in Truman's time, or even LBJ's, this proviso is no easy test of presidential expertise. It calls for a good ear and a fine eye....

But when a President turns to others, regardless of the mode, he is dependent on their knowledge, judgment, and good will. If he turns essentially to one, alone, he puts a heavy burden on that other's knowledge. If he chooses not to read or hear details, he puts an even greater burden on the other's judgment. If he consents, besides, to secrecy from everyone whose task in life is to protect his flanks, he courts deep trouble. Good will should not be stretched beyond endurance. In a system characterized by separated institutions sharing powers, where presidential interests will diverge in some degree from those of almost everybody else, that suggests not stretching very far....

Personally, I prefer Presidents ... more skeptical than trustful, more curious than committed, more nearly Roosevelts than Reagans. I think the former energize our governmental system better and bring out its defects less than do the latter. Reagan's years did not persuade me otherwise, in spite of his appeal on other scores. Every scandal in his wake, for instance, must owe something to the narrow range of his convictions and the breadth of his incuriosity, along with all that trust. A President cannot abolish bad behavior, but he sets a tone, and if he is alert to possibilities he can set traps, and with them limits. Reagan's tone, apparently, was heard by all too many as "enrich yourselves," while those few traps deregulation spared appear to have been sprung and left unbaited for the most part. But this book has not been written to expound my personal preferences. Rather it endeavors to expose the problem for a

President of either sort who seeks to buttress prospects for his future influence while making present choices-"looking toward tomorrow from today," as I wrote at the start. For me that remains a crucial enterprise. It is not, of course, the only thing a President should put his mind to, but it is the subject to which I have put my own throughout this book. It remains crucial, in my view, not simply for the purposes of Presidents, but also for the products of the system, whether effective policy, or flawed or none. Thus it becomes crucial for us all.

We now stand on the threshold of a time institutions, Congress and the President, share in which those separated powers fully and uncomfortably across the board of policy, both foreign and domestic. From the 1940s through the 1960s-"midcentury" in this book's terms--Congress, having been embarrassed at Pearl Harbor by the isolationism it displayed beforehand, gave successive Presidents more scope in defense budgeting and in the conduct of diplomacy toward Europe and Japan than was the norm between the two world wars. Once the Cold War had gotten under way, and then been largely militarized after Korea, that scope widened. With the onset of the missile age it deepened. Should nuclear war impend, the President became the system's final arbiter. Thus I

characterized JFK against the background of the Cuban missile crisis. But by 1975 the denouement of Watergate and that of

Vietnam, eight months apart, had put a period to what remained of congressional reticence left over from Pearl Harbor. And the

151 closing of the Cold War, now in sight though by no means achieved, promises an end to nuclear danger as between the Soviet Union and the United States. Threats of nuclear attack could well remain, from Third World dictators or terrorists, but not destruction of the Northern Hemisphere. So in the realm of military preparations even, indeed, covert actions-the congressional role waxes as the

Cold War wanes, returning toward normality as understood in Franklin Roosevelt's first two terms.

In a multipolar world, crisscrossed by transnational relations, with economic and environmental issues paramount, and issues of security reshaped on regional lines, our Presidents will less and less have reason to seek solace in foreign relations from the piled-up frustrations of home affairs. Their foreign frustrations will be piled high too.

Since FDR in wartime, every President including Bush has found the role of superpower sovereign beguiling: personal responsibility at once direct and high, issues at once gripping and arcane, opposite numbers frequently intriguing and wellmannered, acclaim by foreign audiences echoing well at home, foreign travel relatively glamorous, compared with home, interest groups less clamorous, excepting special cases, authority always stronger, Congress often tamer. But the distinctions lessencompare Bush's time with Nixon's to say nothing of Eisenhower's-and we should expect that they will lessen further.

Telecommunications, trade, aid, banking and stock markets combined with AIDS and birth control and hunger, topped off by toxic waste and global warming-these are not the stuff of which the Congress of Vienna* was made, much less the summits of yore.

Moreover, Europeans ten years hence, as well as Japanese, may not resemble much the relatively acquiescent "middle powers" we grew used to in the 1960s and 1970s. Cooperating with them may come to seem to Presidents no easier than cooperating with

Congress. Our friends abroad will see it quite the other way around: How are they to cooperate with our peculiar mix of separated institutions sharing powers? Theirs are ordered governments, ours a rat race. Complaints of us by others in these terms are nothing new. They have been rife throughout this century. But by the next, some of the chief complainants may have fewer needs of us, while ours of them grow relatively greater, than at any other time since World War II. In that case foreign policy could cease to be a source of pleasure for a President. By the same token, he or she would have to do abroad as on the Hill and in Peoria: Check carefully the possible effects of present choices on prospective reputation and prestige thinking of other governments and publics quite as hard as those at home. It is not just our accustomed NATO and Pacific allies who may force the pace here, but the Soviet

Union, if it holds together, and potentially great powers-China, India, perhaps Brazil-as well as our neighbors, north and south.

From the multicentered, interdependent world now coming into being, environmentally endangered as it is, Presidents may look back on the Cold War as an era of stability, authority, and glamour. They may yearn for the simplicity they see in retrospect, and also for the solace. Too bad. The job of being President is tougher when incumbents have to struggle for effective influence in foreign and domestic spheres at once, with their command of nuclear forces losing immediate relevance, and the American economy shorn of its former clout. There are, however, compensations, one in particular. If we outlive the Cold War,* the personal responsibility attached to nuclear weapons should become less burdensome for Presidents themselves, while contemplation of their mere humanity becomes less haunting for the rest of us. To me that seems a fair exchange.

*After the 1814 defeat of the French leader Napoleon by Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Britain, these great powers met in Vienna,

Austria, to ensure that the future of Europe would be peaceful. At the Congress of Vienna, they created a "balance of power" system so that no single European nation could dominate the continent.-Ens.

*The Cold War refers to the hostility that existed between the United States and the Soviet Union from the end of World War 11 until recent times. The Cold War involved many forms of hostility: democracy versus communism; America's NATO allies versus the Soviet Union's Warsaw Pact military partners; the threat of nuclear war; economic competition; the dividing of Third World nations into pro-U.S. and pro-Soviet camps. With the demise of communism in Eastern Europe and the disintegration of the Soviet

Union, the Cold War era has ended.-Em.

From Alpha.Fdu.Edu online at http://alpha.fdu.edu/~peabody/neustadt.html

.

152

Presidential Power and the Modern President

Richard Neustadt

1.

To what degree do you agree with the following statement: “’powers’ are no guarantee of power; clerkship is no guarantee of leadership?” Give two examples of your own.

2.

What is Neustadt’s take on the concept of separation of powers? Do you agree with him? What evidence does he give?

3.

Distinguish between “command” and “persuade.” How does this related to presidential power?

4.

How does the following passage relate to Federalist 10?

The President's advantages are checked by the advantages of others. Continuing relationships will pull in both directions. These are relationships of mutual dependence. A President depends upon the persons whom he would persuade; he has to reckon with his need or fear of them. They too will possess status, or authority, or both, else they would be of little use to him. Their vantage points confront his own; their power tempers his....

5.

Assess Neustadt’s conclusions on nuclear proliferation. Do you agree with him? Explain.

153

Max Weber: Bureaucracy (1922)

Any discussion about bureaucracy-in the United States or anywhere else-must begin with Max Weber, who is best known for his work laying the intellectual foundation for the study of modern sociology. Weber wrote extensively on modern social and political organization; his works include the unfinished Wirtschaft und

Gesellschaft (Economy and Society) (1922) and the influential The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of

Capitalism

(1904-1905).

His observations on bureaucracy were heavily informed by his experiences in the United States. While traveling in the New World, Weber was struck by the role of bureaucracy in a democratic society. The problem, as he saw it, was that a modern democracy required bureaucratic structures of all kinds in the administration of government and even in the conduct of professional party politics. Handing over the reins to a class of unelected "experts," however, threatened to undermine the very basis of democracy itself. In particular, Weber stressed two problems: the unaccountability of unelected civil servants and the bureaucratic tendency toward inflexibility in the application of rules. In this brief selection, Weber describes the essential nature of bureaucracy.

I: Characteristics of Bureaucracy

Modern officialdom functions in the following specific manner:

I.

There is the principle of fixed and official jurisdictional areas, which are generally ordered by rules, that is, by laws or administrative regulations.

1. The regular activities required for the purposes of the bureaucratically governed structure are distributed in a fixed way as official duties.

2. The authority to give the commands required for the discharge of these duties is distributed in a stable way and is strictly delimited by rules concerning the coercive means, physical, sacerdotal, or otherwise, which may be placed at the disposal of officials.

3. Methodical provision is made for the regular and continuous fulfillment of these duties and for the execution of the corresponding rights; only persons who have the generally regulated qualifications to serve are employed.

In public and lawful government these three elements constitute "bureaucratic authority." In private economic domination, they constitute bureaucratic "management." Bureaucracy, thus understood, is fully developed in political and ecclesiastical communities only in the modern state, and, in the private economy, only in the most advanced institutions of capitalism. Permanent and public office authority, with fixed jurisdiction, is not the historical rule but rather the exception. This is so even in large political structures such as those of the ancient Orient, the Germanic and Mongolian empires of conquest, or of many feudal structures of state. In all these cases, the ruler executes the most important measures through personal trustees, table-companions, or court-servants. Their commissions and authority are not precisely delimited and are temporarily called into being for each case.

II.

The principles of office hierarchy and of levels of graded authority mean a firmly ordered system of super- and subordination in which there is a supervision of the lower offices by the higher ones. Such a system offers the governed the possibility of appealing the decision of a lower office to its higher authority, in a definitely regulated manner. With the full development of the bureaucratic type, the office hierarchy is monocratically

154 organized. The principle of hierarchical office authority is found in all bureaucratic structures: in state and ecclesiastical structures as well as in large party organizations and private enterprises. It does not matter for the character of bureaucracy whether its authority is called "private" or "public."

When the principle of jurisdictional "competency" is fully carried through, hierarchical subordination-at least in public office-does not mean that the "higher" authority is simply authorized to take over the business of the

"lower." Indeed, the opposite is the rule. Once established and having fulfilled its task, an office tends to continue in existence and be held by another incumbent.

III.

The management of the modem office is based upon written documents ("the files"), which are preserved in their original or draught form. There is, therefore, a staff of subaltern officials and scribes of all sorts. The body of officials actively engaged in a "public" office, along with the respective apparatus of material implements and the files, make up a "bureau." In private enterprise, "the bureau" is often called "the office."

In principle, the modern organization of the civil service separates the bureau from the private domicile of the official, and, in general, bureaucracy segregates official activity as something distinct from the sphere of private life. Public monies and equipment are divorced from the private property of the official. This condition is everywhere the product of a long development. Nowadays, it is found in public as well as in private enterprises; in the latter, the principle extends even to the leading entrepreneur. In principle, the executive office is separated from the household, business from private correspondence, and business assets from private fortunes. The more consistently the modern type of business management has been carried through the more are these separations the case. The beginnings of this process are to be found as early as the

Middle Ages.

It is the peculiarity of the modem entrepreneur that he conducts himself as the "first official" of his enterprise, in the very same way in which the ruler of a specifically modern bureaucratic state spoke of himself as "the first servant" of the state. The idea that the bureau activities of the state are intrinsically different in character from the management of private economic offices is a continental European notion and, by way of contrast, is totally foreign to the American way.

IV.

Office management, at least all specialized office management-and such management is distinctly modem-usually presupposes thorough and expert training. This increasingly holds for the modern executive and employee of private enterprises, in the same manner as it holds for the state official.

V. When the office is fully developed, official activity demands the full working capacity of the official, irrespective of the fact that his obligatory time in the bureau may be firmly delimited. In the normal case, this is only the product of a long development, in the public as well as in the private office. Formerly, in all cases, the normal state of affairs was reversed: official business was discharged as a secondary activity.

VI . The management of the office follows general rules, which are more or less stable, more or less exhaustive, and which can be learned. Knowledge of these rules represents a special technical learning which the officials possess. It involves jurisprudence, or administrative or business management.

The reduction of modem office management to rules is deeply embedded in its very nature. The theory of modem public administration, for instance, assumes that the authority to order certain matters by decreewhich has been legally granted to public authorities-does not entitle the bureau to regulate the matter by commands given for each case, but only to regulate the matter abstractly. This stands in extreme contrast to the regulation of all relationships through individual privileges and bestowals of favor, which is absolutely dominant in patrimonialism, at least in so far as such relationships are not fixed by sacred tradition....

155

Technical Advantages of Bureaucratic Organization

The decisive reason for the advance of bureaucratic organization has always been its purely technical superiority over any other form of organization. The fully developed bureaucratic mechanism compares with other organizations exactly as does the machine with the nonmechanical modes of production.

Precision, speed, unambiguity, knowledge of the files, continuity, discretion, unity, strict subordination, reduction of friction and of material and personal costs-these are raised to the optimum point in the strictly bureaucratic administration, and especially in its monocratic form. As compared with all collegiate, honorific, and avocational forms of administration, trained bureaucracy is superior on all these points. And as far as complicated tasks are concerned, paid bureaucratic work is not only more precise but, in the last analysis, it is often cheaper than even formally unremunerated honorific service.

Honorific arrangements make administrative work an avocation and, for this reason alone, honorific service normally functions more slowly; being less bound to schemata and being more formless. Hence it is less precise and less unified than bureaucratic work because it is less dependent upon superiors and because the establishment and exploitation of the apparatus of subordinate officials and filing services are almost unavoidably less economical. Honorific service is less continuous than bureaucratic and frequently quite expensive. This is especially the case if one thinks not only of the money costs to the public treasury-costs which bureaucratic administration, in comparison with administration by notables, usually substantially increases-but also of the frequent economic losses of the governed caused by delays and lack of precision.

The possibility of administration by notables normally and permanently exists only where official management can be satisfactorily discharged as an avocation. With the qualitative increase of tasks the administration has to face, administration by notables reaches its limits-today, even in England. Work organized by collegiate bodies causes friction and delay and requires compromises between colliding interests and views. The administration, therefore, runs less precisely and is more independent of superiors; hence, it is less unified and slower. All advances of the Prussian administrative organization have been and will in the future be advances of the bureaucratic, and especially of the monocratic, principle.

Today, it is primarily the capitalist market economy which demands that the official business of the administration be discharged precisely, unambiguously, continuously, and with as much speed as possible.

Normally, the very large, modem capitalist enterprises are themselves unequalled models of strict bureaucratic organization. Business management throughout rests on increasing precision, steadiness, and, above all, the speed of operations. This, in turn, is determined by the peculiar nature of the modern means of communication, including, among ~other things, the news service of the press. The extraordinary increase in the speed by which public announcements, as well as economic and political facts, are transmitted exerts a steady and sharp pressure in the direction of speeding up the tempo of administrative reaction towards various situations. The optimum of such reaction time is normally attained only by a strictly bureaucratic organization.

Bureaucratization offers above all the optimum possibility for carrying through the principle of specializing administrative functions according to purely objective considerations. Individual performances are allocated to functionaries who have specialized training and who by constant practice learn more and more. The

"objective" discharge of business primarily means a discharge of business according to calculable rules and

"without regard for persons.

"Without regard for persons" is also the watchword of the "market" and, in general, of all pursuits of naked economic interests. A consistent execution of bureaucratic domination means the leveling of status "honor."

Hence, if the principle of the free-market is not at the same time restricted, it means the universal domination

156 of the class situation." That this consequence of bureaucratic domination has not set in everywhere, parallel to the extent of bureaucratization, is due to the differences among possible principles by which polities may meet their demands.

The second element mentioned, "calculable rules," also is of paramount importance for modern bureaucracy.

The peculiarity of modern culture, and specifically of its technical and economic basis, demands this very

"calculability" of results.

… [The] specific nature [of bureaucracy], which is welcomed by capitalism, develops the more perfectly the more the bureaucracy is "dehumanized," the more completely it succeeds in eliminating from official business love, hatred, and all purely -personal, irrational, and emotional elements which escape calculation. This is the specific nature of bureaucracy and it is appraised as its special virtue.

The more complicated and specialized modern culture becomes, the more its external supporting apparatus demands the personally detached and strictly "objective" expert, in lieu of the master of older social structures, who was moved by personal sympathy and favor, by grace and gratitude. Bureaucracy offers the attitudes demanded by the external apparatus of modern culture in the most favorable combination. As a rule, only bureaucracy has established the foundation for the administration of a rational law conceptually systematized on the basis of such enactments as the latter Roman imperial period first created with a high degree of -technical perfection. During the Middle Ages, this law was received along with the bureaucratization of legal administration, that is to say, with the displacement I of the old trial procedure which was bound to tradition or to irrational presuppositions, by the rationally trained and specialized expert.

Questions to think about

1. What are the characteristics of the bureaucratic form of governmental power? What are bureaucracy's strong points? weak points?

2. Why are the rules so important in a bureaucracy? What are the advantages and disadvantages of making decisions on the basis of general rules, rather than on a case-by-case basis?

Unit V- Branches of Government-

Part C The Judiciary

157

All the rights secured to the citizens under the Constitution are worth nothing, and a mere bubble, except guaranteed to them by an independent and virtuous Judiciary.

Assignments

Chapter 14 Study Guide

Supreme Court Writing Assignment

Assessments

Unit V Exam- Multiple Choice

Andrew Jackson

Secondary Readings

Scalia- Liberty and Abortion; A Strict Constructionist’s

View”

158

Chapter 14

The Judiciary

6.

Define judicial review. Make sure you memorize the case, Marbury v. Madison

7.

Summarize the two approaches to using the Constitution to decide cases.

8.

The book discusses three main stages in the evolution of today’s Supreme Court. Give brief generalizations that summarize the main issues of each of these three stages.

9.

Define: district court, courts of appeals, senatorial courtesy, blue slips, and litmus tests. Explain why litmus tests have grown in importance.

10.

List and understand the ten reasons why David Yalof says that the modern selection process for justices has changed. (Separate reading)

11.

What does it mean to say that our system is a dual court system? Explain how our dual court system works.

12.

Find a way to commit to memory the path that a case takes to get to the Supreme Court.

13.

Summarize rules governing standing.

14.

Explain what a class action suit is. What are the pros and cons of having class action suits?

15.

Define brief, amicus curiae , Solicitor General, per curiam opinion, opinion of the Court, concurring opinion, dissenting opinion.

16.

The book discuses four indicators of how courts have become more powerful. Explain what these four measures are.

17.

What arguments does the book present in favor of and against judicial activism?

18.

What explanations does the book give for why we have activist courts?

19.

List and explain the checks on judicial power from both the other branches of government and public opinion.

20.

According to Scalia, what issues would a strict constitutional constructionist have with the current Roe v. Wade debate?

Amicus curiae

Antonin Scalia

Appellate jurisdiction

Blue Slips

Briefs

Burger Court

Civil law

Clarence Thomas

Class action suit

Concurrent jurisdiction

Concurring opinion

Constitutional court

Courts of Appeals

Court order

Court packing plan

Criminal law

David Souter

Defendant

Dissenting opinion

District court

Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)

Dual Court System

Dual sovereignty

Exclusive jurisdiction

Federalist No. 78

Federal-question cases

Fee shifting

Gang of 14

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

Impeachment

Terms to Know

In forma pauperis

John Marshall

Judicial activist

Judicial review

Law clerks

Legislative courts

Litmus test

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Opinion of the Court

Original jurisdiction per curiam opinion

Plaintiff

Political question

Rehnquist Court

Remedy

Robert Bork

Roger B. Taney

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Senatorial courtesy

Solicitor General

Sonia Sotomayor

Sovereign immunity

Standing

Stare decisis

Strict constructionist

Warren Court

William Rehnquist

Writ of certiorari

159

160

Supreme Court Writing Assignment

You must pick your case by although you can do so earlier.

Your paper is due on ______________________*

For this assignment, you will choose one Supreme Court case from the past fifty years that you think was decided wrongly. (You may not choose Roe v. Wade or Bush v. Gore . They’ve been done way too much!! .) You may also not pick a case that has since been overturned. Your task will be to write a convincing argument to explain why the

Supreme Court’s decision was, in your opinion, incorrect. You must base your reasoning on Constitutional arguments, precedents, and history. It is not enough to say that the decision was wrong and unfair. You must demonstrate your grasp of the issues we have discussed throughout the year in your analysis.

This is not as intimidating as it may sound. Few decisions are decided unanimously. The justices in the minority have issued dissenting opinions explaining why they think the majority decided the case incorrectly. These dissenting opinions would be a good starting point for your preparation for the essay. You may quote from the dissents (with appropriate citations, of course) but I am not looking for a simple cut and paste job. You have the advantage of hindsight and so know the impact the decision has had on American life and jurisprudence. What problems do we encounter in today’s society because of the way that your case was decided? I encourage you to explore that approach.

Here are some sites that might help you find a good case on issues that interest you: http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/home.html

(Scroll down for links by topic) http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/topicssummary.aspx

I have also provided several links on the Links page for AP Government under the Constitution and Supreme Court that may help you. You may access all Supreme Court decisions at the Oyez site. http://oyez.nwu.edu/cases/cases.cgi

or at Cornell’s site http://supct.law.cornell.edu/supct/

This is what I’m looking for in an ‘A’ paper:

You show your understanding of the facts, issues involved in the case, and the factors that went into the decision for each side.

You argue that the Supreme Court decided the case incorrectly with an impressive array of Constitutional arguments, discussion of applicable precedents, and an examination of how their decision has had or will have a deleterious effect on the country.

You write beautifully with excellent English. You make no ugly grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors. You do not use the first person.

Your writing flows from paragraph to paragraph without abrupt transitions that jar the reader’s attention.

You cite all quotations and analyses that you borrow. It is not enough to simply cite that which you quoted. If you adapted an argument from some source, you should acknowledge your work’s provenance. To do otherwise is outright theft.

You include a bibliography of all sources that you consulted. For citing a SC decision I want to see: Name of the case (in italics), year, and URL. Indicate if the opinion is the main opinion, concurring, or dissenting.

Your paper uses a 12 pt. font and is typed and double-spaced.

I would predict that your papers would be in the four-to-six-page range.

* Papers that do not fully meet these criteria will receive lesser grades. This will count as a test grade. You will lose 10 points per day that your paper is late. If you are going to be absent on the day its due, please find a way to get the paper to me. Try messengers, e-mail, or carrier pigeons. You may receive two points per day that you hand this in early for a maximum of 10 points extra credit. If you’re not going to be here on the due date, you must turn in your paper earlier.

You will lose 10 points per day for being late.

161

Liberty and Abortion: A Strict Constructionist's View

Justice Antonin Scalia

. . . Laws against bigamy. . . which entire societies of reasonable people disagree with-intrude upon men and women's liberty to marry and live with one another. But bigamy happens not to be a liberty specially

"protected" by the Constitution.

That is, quite simply, the issue in this case: not whether the power of a woman to abort her unborn child is a "liberty" in the absolute sense; or even whether it is a liberty of great importance to many women. Of course it is both. The issue is whether it is a liberty protected by the Constitution of the

United States. I am sure it is not. I reach that conclusion not because of anything so exalted as my views concerning the "concept of existence, of meaning, of the universe, and of the mystery of human life."

Rather, I reach it for the same reason I reach the conclusion that bigamy is not constitutionally protectedbecause of two simple facts: (1) the Constitution says absolutely nothing about it, and (2) the longstanding traditions of American society have permitted it to be legally proscribed. . . .

The emptiness of the "reasoned judgment" that produced Roe is displayed in plain view by the fact that, after more than 19 years of effort by some of the brightest (and most determined) legal minds in the country, after more than 10 cases upholding abortion rights in this Court, and after dozens upon dozens of amicus briefs submitted in this and other cases, the best the Court can do to explain how it is that the word "liberty" must be thought to include the right to destroy human fetuses is to rattle off a collection of adjectives that simply decorate a value judgment and conceal a political choice. The right to abort, we are told, inheres in "liberty" because it is among "a person's most basic decisions," it involves a "most intimate and personal choic[e]," it is "central to personal dignity and autonomy," it "originate[s] within the zone of conscience and belief," it is "too intimate and personal" for state interference, it reflects "intimate views" of a "deep, personal character," it involves "intimate relationships," and notions of "personal autonomy and bodily integrity," and it concerns a particularly "important decision[n]." But it is obvious to anyone applying "reasoned judgment" that the same adjectives can be applied to many forms of conduct that this

Court ... has held are not entitled to constitutional protection-because, like abortion, they are forms of conduct that have long been criminalized in American society. Those adjectives might be applied, for example, to homosexual sodomy, polygamy, adult incest, and suicide, all of which are equally "intimate" and "deep[ly] personal" decisions involving "personal autonomy and bodily integrity," and all of which can constitutionally be proscribed because it is our unquestionable constitutional tradition that they are proscribable. It is not reasoned judgment that supports the Court's decision; only personal predilection. . .

.

[W]hether it would "subvert the Court's legitimacy" or not, the notion that we would decide a case differently from the way we otherwise would have in order to show that we can stand firm against public disapproval is frightening. It is a bad enough idea, even in the head of someone like me, who believes that the text of the Constitution, and our traditions, say what they say and there is no fiddling with them. But when it is in the mind of a Court that believes the Constitution has an evolving meaning; that the Ninth Amendment's reference to "othe[r]" rights is not a disclaimer, but a charter for action; and that the function of this Court is to "speak before all others for constitutional ideals" unrestrained by meaningful text or tradition-then the notion that the Court must adhere to a decision for as long as the decision faces "great opposition" and the

Court is "under fire" acquires a character of almost czarist arrogance. We are offended by these marchers who descend upon us, every year on the anniversary of Roe, to protest our saying that the Constitution requires what our society has never thought the Constitution requires. These peo ple who refuse to be "tested by following" must be taught a lesson. We have no Cossacks, but at least we can stubbornly refuse to abandon an erroneous opinion that we might otherwise change-to show how little they intimidate us. . . . We should get out of this area, where we have no right to be, and where we do neither ourselves nor the country any good by remaining.

Scalia, Justice Antonin. “Liberty and Abortion: A Strict Constructionist’s View”. Ed. Peter Woll. New York.

Pearson Longman, 2004. 444-445.

401K plan

Assets

Balance sheet

Bank holiday

Barter economy

Bear market

Bill consolidation loans

Bull market

Call

Capital market

Central bank

Certificate of deposit

Coins

Collusion

Commercial bank

Commodity money coupon

Credit union

Creditor

Currency current yield

Deficiency payment

Demand deposit account

Deregulation

Discount rate

Dow Jones Industrial Average

Economic model

Economies of scale

Efficient market

Equilibrium price

Equities

Federal Reserve system

Fiat money

Finance company

Financial asset

Financial intermediary

Financial system

Fractional reserve

Futures contract

Futures market

Geographic monopoly

Gold certificate

Gold standard

Government monopoly

Imperfect competition

Inconvertible fiat money standard

Economics Unit III

Markets, Prices, and Business Competition

Individual Retirement Account (IRA)

Laissez-faire

Legal reserves

Legal tender

Liabilities

Liquidity

Loose money policy

Margin requirement

Market equilibrium

Market structure maturity

Measure of value

Medium of exchange

Member bank

Member bank reserve

Minimum wage

Monetary policy

Monetary standard

Monetary unit

Money

Money market

Monopolistic competition

Monopoly municipal bond

Mutual fund

Mutual savings bank

National bank

National bank note

National currency

Natural monopoly

Net asset value

Net worth

Non price competition

Non-bank financial institution

Nonrecourse loan

NOW accounts

Oligopoly

Open market operations

Option

Option

Options market

Over the counter market par value

Pension

Pension fund

Perfect competition

Portfolio diversification

Premium

Price

Price ceiling

Price floor

Price-fixing

Primary market

Product differentiation

Put option

Ration coupon

Rationing

Real estate investment trust

Rebate

Reserve requirement

Risk

Roth IRA

Run on the bank

Saving

Savings

Savings account

Savings and loan association

(S&L)

Savings bank savings bond

Secondary market

Securities exchange

Share draft accounts

Shortage

Silver certificate

Specie

Spot market

Standard and Poors

State bank

Stockbroker

Store of value

Surplus

Target price tax-exempt

Technological monopoly

Thrift institutions

Tight money policy

Treasury bill

Treasury coin note

Treasury note

United States note

162

Major Concepts

How do price floors and price ceilings restrict overall supply and demand for goods and services?

What are the five characteristics of a perfect competition?

What are the different types of monopolies?

What is the structure of the Federal Reserve?

What are the three major tools of monetary policy?

Major Assignments

Markets and Financial Institutions Test

163

Unit VI- Public Policy

164

I want to make a policy statement. I am unabashedly in favor of women.

Lyndon B. Johnson

Assignments

Chapter 15, 16, 16, 17, 20, 21 Study Guides (Most are short so don’t freak out !)

Public Policy Project

Assessments

Unit Exam Multiple Choice and FRQs

Secondary Readings

Will- Why Didn’t Bush Ask Congress?

Easterbrook- Some Convenient Truths

165

Chapter 15 Study Questions

The Policy Making Process

1.

How are certain issues (at certain times) placed on the public agenda for action?

2.

Define the following terms as used in this chapter: a) costs; b) benefits; c) perception

3.

Use the above terms to explain the four types of politics presented in the text: majoritarian, client, interest group, and entrepreneurial.

4.

Discuss the roles played in the process of public policy formation by people’s perceptions, beliefs, interests, and values.

Terms to Know

Political agendas costs benefit majoritarian politics interest group policy client politics pork barrel projects logrolling entrepreneurial politics policy entrepreneurs boycott process regulation

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)

Superfund

Sherman Act

Federal Trade Commission Act

Clayton Act

The Grange

Wagner Act

National Labor Relations Board

Pure Food and Drug Act deregulation

166

Chapter 16 Study Questions

Economic Policy

1.

Summarize how economics affects politics and how politicians respond.

2.

How do two kinds of majoritarian politics complicate the politics of taxing and spending?

3.

Summarize the following economic theories: Monetarism, Keynesianism, economic planning, industrial policy, supply-side, Reaganomics.

4.

Define fiscal policy, budget deficit, budget surplus, monetary policy, and fiscal year.

5.

Summarize the role of the CEA, OMB and secretary of the treasury.

6.

What are the two sides of the debate on free trade?

7.

How did the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 change the budget process? In your answer indicate how the budget process is supposed to work.

8.

What are entitlements? What impact do they have on the federal budget?

9.

What was in the Gramm-Rudman Act or Balanced Budget Act of 1985? Define sequester. What strategy was adopted when sequestration didn’t work?

10.

Using the Federal Budget handout, define gross domestic product, recession, fiscal policy, discretionary spending, mandatory spending

11.

How did the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990 reform the process?

12.

Define tax loopholes, progressive tax, marginal rate, regressive tax, sin taxes, flat tax, capital-gains tax (from handout)

13.

What is the main function of the Federal Reserve and what are the three main tools they at their disposal to implement their policies? Make sure you know this. (Of course, that’s true for everything….)

Adam Smith

Arthur Laffer

Budget deficit

Budget Resolution budget surplus

Council of Economic Advisers (CEA)

Economic planning entitlements

Federal Reserve

Fiscal policy

Fiscal Year (FY)

Inflation

John Maynard Keynes

Terms to Know

Keynesianism

Milton Friedman

Monetary policy

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Monetarism

Opportunity costs

Price and wage controls

Reaganomics

Recession

Scarcity sequester

Substitutability

Supply-side theory

Chapter 17

Social Welfare

1.

Describe the goals of the welfare system.

2.

Contrast its programs with those of the British in terms of centralization.

3.

Describe the major elements of the system, including the Social Security Act of 1935, the Medicare Act of

1965, and the abolition of the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program.

4.

Why are some welfare policies considered majoritarian politics and other client politics?

5.

Give examples and indicate the political consequences of each. Discuss the politics of welfare reform.

Terms to Know

Majoritarian politics client politics insurance program assistance program means test

Earned Income Tax Credit service strategy income strategy

Social Security Act

Medicare

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168

Chapter 20

Foreign and Military Policy

1.

List the constitutional powers of the president and compare them with the authority of Congress in foreign affairs.

2.

Why is it naïve to read the Constitution literally with regards to foreign affairs?

3.

Explain the changing role of public opinion in shaping foreign policy.

4.

Why are checks on the powers of the national government in foreign affairs primarily political rather than constitutional?

5.

Analyze the key allocative decisions about the defense budget.

6.

According to George Will, what were the justifications the Bush Administration used to order the NSA to start electronic surveillance following 9/11?

7.

Looking back, did the Bush Administration, at the time and based on their interpretation of the Constitution, have a strong argument for electronic surveillance? Could that interpretation be used by the current administration? Why or why not?

Terms to Know

Military-industrial complex

“Peace dividend”

“World’s policeman”

Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS)

Armed Services Committees

Strategic defense Initiative (SDI) or “Star Wars”

Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMS)

Mutual assured destruction (MAD)

“Don ask, don’t tell”

Cost overruns

Gold plating

Readiness

Commission on Base Realignment and closure (BRAC)

National Security Act (1947)

Chain of Command

Goldwater-Nichols Act (1986)

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Chapter 21 Environmental Policy

Why is environmental policy frequently controversial?

Outline the major provisions of the Clean Air Act (1970), the Water Quality Improvement Act (1970), the revised Clean Air Act (1990), and the National Environmental Policy Act (1969).

What political point of view does Gregg Easterbrook have in regards to Global Warming and the United States environmental policies? Does he have any points that you agree with? What parts of his arguments are not particularly strong?

Clean Air Act (1963)

Auto emission standards

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (1970)

Water Quality Improvement Act (1970)

Endangered Species Act (1973)

Terms to Know

Kyoto Protocol

Smog toxic Waste

Acid Rain

Environmental impact statement (EIS)

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Economic Policy (Ch. 16)

Social Welfare Policy (Ch. 17)

Foreign and Military Policy (Ch. 20)

Environmental Policy (Ch 21)

 Begin by reading about the Policy-Making Process in general from Ch. 15 in your textbook.

Public Policy Project

You will be assigned one of the following policy areas to research:

 Then, using your textbook, the Internet, library materials, and other resources available to you, thoroughly research your policy area paying attention to 1) historical development, 2) current policy,

3) issues at debate.

 Next, having researched your assigned policy area, develop your own opinion in regard to the appropriateness, and/or efficacy of current policy. Express your opinion in 5-paragraph essay format.

 The results of your research and thought will be presented in two ways: an individual student paper, and a group presentation.

Individual paper requirements: a. Title Page b. Historical Development section (1-3 pages) c. Current Policy section (1-3 Pages) d. Issues-at-debate section (1-3 pages) e. Position Essay (1-2 pages)—defend a position related to one of the issues-at-debate. (Special Note- This will replace the normal Prompted Essay assignment for the week!) f. Visual Aid (graph, chart, drawing, etc.) that you create and that helps explain or illustrate some key point of your paper. Note: this is separate from whatever visual your group might have uses in their presentation

g. Bibliography (MLA Format)

All papers must be typed, double-spaced (12 point font, 1 inch margins) and properly documented (MLA).

Submit a hard copy of your paper to Mr. Guemmer or an electronic copy through Classjump.

You should work in cooperation with others in the class who have been assigned the same policy area, but each student is to complete an individual report on a specific issue if possible (“sharing” information is O.K., but write your own paper, using your own words )

Wherever possible, your discussion of your specific policy area should reflect an understanding of the policymaking process in general as discussed in Ch. 15 of your textbook (I will look for key terms and concepts, e.g.

“majoritarian politics,” “client politics,” etc.).

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Why Didn't Bush Ask Congress?

By George Will

WASHINGTON -- The president's authorization of domestic surveillance by the National Security Agency contravened a statute's clear language. Assuming that urgent facts convinced him that he should proceed anyway and on his own, what argument convinced him that he lawfully could?

Presumably the argument is that the president's implied powers as commander in chief, particularly with the nation under attack and some of the enemy within the gates, are not limited by statutes. A classified legal brief probably makes an argument akin to one Attorney General John Ashcroft made in 2002: ``The Constitution vests in the president inherent authority to conduct warrantless intelligence surveillance (electronic or otherwise) of foreign powers or their agents, and Congress cannot by statute extinguish that constitutional authority.''

Perhaps the brief argues, as its author John Yoo -- now a professor of law at Berkeley, but then a deputy assistant attorney general -- argued 14 days after 9/11 in a memorandum on ``the president's constitutional authority to conduct military operations against terrorists and nations supporting them,'' that the president's constitutional power to take ``military actions'' is ``plenary.'' The Oxford English Dictionary defines

``plenary'' as ``complete, entire, perfect, not deficient in any element or respect.''

The brief should be declassified and debated, beginning with this question: Who decides which tactics -- e.g., domestic surveillance -- should be considered part of taking ``military actions''?

Without more information than can be publicly available concerning threats from enemies operating in

America, the executive branch deserves considerable discretion in combating terrorist conspiracies utilizing new technologies such as cell phones and the Internet. In September 2001 the president surely had sound reasons for desiring the surveillance capabilities at issue.

But did he have sound reasons for seizing them while giving only minimal information to, and having no formal complicity with, Congress? Perhaps. But Congress, if asked, almost certainly would have made such modifications of law as the president's plans required. Courts, too, would have been compliant. After all, on

Sept. 14, 2001, Congress had unanimously declared that ``the president has authority under the Constitution to take action to deter and prevent acts of international terrorism,'' and had authorized ``all necessary and appropriate force'' against those involved in 9/11 or threatening future attacks.

For more than 500 years -- since the rise of nation-states and parliaments -- a preoccupation of Western political thought has been the problem of defining and confining executive power. The problem is expressed in the title of a brilliant book, ``Taming the Prince: The Ambivalence of Modern Executive Power,'' by

Harvey Mansfield, Harvard's conservative.

Particularly in time of war or the threat of it, government needs concentrated decisiveness -- a capacity for swift and nimble action that legislatures normally cannot manage. But the inescapable corollary of this need is the danger of arbitrary power.

Modern American conservatism grew in reaction against the New Deal's creation of the regulatory state, and the enlargement of the executive branch power that such a state entails. The intellectual vigor of conservatism was quickened by reaction against the Great Society and the aggrandizement of the modern presidency by

Lyndon Johnson, whose aspiration was to complete the project begun by Franklin Roosevelt.

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Because of what Alexander Hamilton praised as ``energy in the executive,'' which often drives the growth of government, for years many conservatives were advocates of congressional supremacy. There were, they said, reasons why the Founders, having waged a revolutionary war against overbearing executive power, gave the legislative branch pride of place in Article I of the Constitution.

One reason was that Congress' cumbersomeness, which is a function of its fractiousness, is a virtue because it makes the government slow and difficult to move. But conservatives' wholesome wariness of presidential power has been a casualty of conservative presidents winning seven of the last 10 elections.

On the assumption that Congress or a court would have been cooperative in September 2001, and that the cooperation could have kept necessary actions clearly lawful without conferring any benefit on the nation's enemies, the president's decision to authorize NSA's surveillance without the complicity of a court or

Congress was a mistake. Perhaps one caused by this administration's almost metabolic urge to keep Congress unnecessarily distant and hence disgruntled.

Charles de Gaulle, a profound conservative, said of another such, Otto von Bismarck -- de Gaulle was thinking of Bismarck not pressing his advantage in 1870 in the Franco-Prussian War -- that genius sometimes consists of knowing when to stop. In peace and in war, but especially in the latter, presidents have pressed their institutional advantages to expand their powers to act without Congress. This president might look for occasions to stop pressing.

© 2005, Washington Post Writers Group

Some Convenient Truths

Runaway global warming looks all but unstoppable. Maybe that’s because we haven’t really tried to stop it

173 by Gregg Easterbrook

If there is now a scientific consensus that global warming must be taken seriously, there is also a related political consensus: that the issue is Gloom City. In An Inconvenient Truth , Al Gore warns of sea levels rising to engulf New York and San Francisco and implies that only wrenching lifestyle sacrifice can save us. The opposing view is just as glum. Even mild restrictions on greenhouse gases could “cripple our economy,”

Republican Senator Kit Bond of Missouri said in 2003. Other conservatives suggest that greenhouse-gas rules for Americans would be pointless anyway, owing to increased fossil-fuel use in China and India. When commentators hash this issue out, it’s often a contest to see which side can sound more pessimistic.

Here’s a different way of thinking about the greenhouse effect: that action to prevent runaway global warming may prove cheap, practical, effective, and totally consistent with economic growth. Which makes a body wonder: Why is such environmental optimism absent from American political debate?

Greenhouse gases are an air-pollution problem—and all previous air-pollution problems have been reduced faster and more cheaply than predicted, without economic harm. Some of these problems once seemed scary and intractable, just as greenhouse gases seem today. About forty years ago urban smog was increasing so fast that President Lyndon Johnson warned, “Either we stop poisoning our air or we become a nation [in] gas masks groping our way through dying cities.” During Ronald Reagan’s presidency, emissions of chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, threatened to deplete the stratospheric ozone layer. As recently as George H. W. Bush’s administration, acid rain was said to threaten a “new silent spring” of dead Appalachian forests.

But in each case, strong regulations were enacted, and what happened? Since 1970, smog-forming air pollution has declined by a third to a half. Emissions of CFCs have been nearly eliminated, and studies suggest that ozone-layer replenishment is beginning. Acid rain, meanwhile, has declined by a third since

1990, while Appalachian forest health has improved sharply.

Most progress against air pollution has been cheaper than expected. Smog controls on automobiles, for example, were predicted to cost thousands of dollars for each vehicle. Today’s new cars emit less than 2 percent as much smog-forming pollution as the cars of 1970, and the cars are still as affordable today as they were then. Acid-rain control has cost about 10 percent of what was predicted in 1990, when Congress enacted new rules. At that time, opponents said the regulations would cause a “clean-air recession”; instead, the economy boomed.

Greenhouse gases, being global, are the biggest air-pollution problem ever faced. And because widespread fossil-fuel use is inevitable for some time to come, the best-case scenario for the next few decades may be a slowing of the rate of greenhouse-gas buildup, to prevent runaway climate change. Still, the basic pattern observed in all other forms of air-pollution control—rapid progress at low cost—should repeat for greenhouse-gas controls.

Yet a paralyzing negativism dominates global-warming politics. Environmentalists depict climate change as nearly unstoppable; skeptics speak of the problem as either imaginary (the “greatest hoax ever perpetrated,” in the words of Senator James Inhofe, chairman of the Senate’s environment committee) or ruinously expensive to address.

174

Even conscientious politicians may struggle for views that aren’t dismal. Mandy Grunwald, a Democratic political consultant, says, “When political candidates talk about new energy sources, they use a positive, cando vocabulary. Voters have personal experience with energy use, so they can relate to discussion of solutions.

If you say a car can use a new kind of fuel, this makes intuitive sense to people. But global warming is of such scale and magnitude, people don’t have any commonsense way to grasp what the solutions would be. So political candidates tend to talk about the greenhouse effect in a depressing way.”

One reason the global-warming problem seems so daunting is that the success of previous antipollution efforts remains something of a secret. Polls show that Americans think the air is getting dirtier, not cleaner, perhaps because media coverage of the environment rarely if ever mentions improvements. For instance, did you know that smog and acid rain have continued to diminish throughout George W. Bush’s presidency?

One might expect Democrats to trumpet the decline of air pollution, which stands as one of government’s leading postwar achievements. But just as Republicans have found they can bash Democrats by falsely accusing them of being soft on defense, Democrats have found they can bash Republicans by falsely accusing them of destroying the environment. If that’s your argument, you might skip over the evidence that many environmental trends are positive. One might also expect Republicans to trumpet the reduction of air pollution, since it signifies responsible behavior by industry. But to acknowledge that air pollution has declined would require Republicans to say the words, “The regulations worked.”

Does it matter that so many in politics seem so pessimistic about the prospect of addressing global warming?

Absolutely. Making the problem appear unsolvable encourages a sort of listless fatalism, blunting the drive to take first steps toward a solution. Historically, first steps against air pollution have often led to pleasant surprises. When Congress, in 1970, mandated major reductions in smog caused by automobiles, even many supporters of the rule feared it would be hugely expensive. But the catalytic converter was not practical then; soon it was perfected, and suddenly, major reductions in smog became affordable. Even a small step by the

United States against greenhouse gases could lead to a similar breakthrough.

And to those who worry that any greenhouse-gas reductions in the United States will be swamped by new emissions from China and India, here’s a final reason to be optimistic: technology can move across borders with considerable speed. Today it’s not clear that American inventors or entrepreneurs can make money by reducing greenhouse gases, so relatively few are trying. But suppose the United States regulated greenhouse gases, using its own domestic program, not the cumbersome Kyoto Protocol; then America’s formidable entrepreneurial and engineering communities would fully engage the problem. Innovations pioneered here could spread throughout the world, and suddenly rapid global warming would not seem inevitable.

The two big technical advances against smog—the catalytic converter and the chemical engineering that removes pollutants from gasoline at the refinery stage—were invented in the United States. The big economic advance against acid rain—a credit-trading system that gives power-plant managers a profit incentive to reduce pollution—was pioneered here as well. These advances are now spreading globally. Smog and acid rain are still increasing in some parts of the world, but the trend lines suggest that both will decline fairly soon, even in developing nations. For instance, two decades ago urban smog was rising at a dangerous rate in

Mexico; today it is diminishing there, though the country’s population continues to grow. A short time ago declining smog and acid rain in developing nations seemed an impossibility; today declining greenhouse gases seem an impossibility. The history of air-pollution control says otherwise.

Americans love challenges, and preventing artificial climate change is just the sort of technological and economic challenge at which this nation excels. It only remains for the right politician to recast the challenge in practical, optimistic tones. Gore seldom has, and Bush seems to have no interest in trying. But cheap and fast improvement is not a pipe dream; it is the pattern of previous efforts against air pollution. The only reason runaway global warming seems unstoppable is that we have not yet tried to stop it.

Unit VII- Civil Liberties – Civil Rights

175

“To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. “

Assignments

Study Guide for Chapter 18 and 19

Supreme Decisions- Civil Rights Project

Assessments

Unit IX Exam Ch 18 & 19- Multiple Choice and FRQs

Theodore Roosevelt

Secondary Readings

Williams- Proposition 209

176

Chapter 18 Study Questions

Civil Liberties.

1.

What are the three reasons why the liberties claimed by some people become major issues? Give one or two examples for each reason.

2.

Explain briefly how the Supreme Court has interpreted the Free Exercise and Establishment clauses.

3.

What are the difficulties in using the “wall of separation” principle?

4.

List and explain the circumstances when the Supreme Court has ruled that freedom of speech may be limited.

5.

Define the “clear-and-present-danger test,” libel, preferred position, prior restraint, imminent danger, and symbolic speech. You may just want to put these straight onto your flashcards

6.

Summarize the Supreme Court’s changing interpretations of how to protect both the due process rights of accused criminals and to preserve the safety of the community. Define the exclusionary rule and the “good faith exception.”.

Terms to Know

Civil Liberties

McCarthyism

Incorporation Doctrine*

Fourteenth Amendment

Equal protection clause*

Due process clause*

Selective Incorporation*

Preferred freedoms*

Establishment Clause*

Free Exercise Clause*

Wall of Separation Principle

Lemon Test*

Equal Access Act

Parochial Schools

School Vouchers

Freedom of Expression*

Oliver Wendell Holmes

“Clear and Present Danger”

“time, place, and manner” restrictions*

Symbolic Speech*

“Hate Crime”

Speech codes

Prior Restraint*

Libel*

“actual malice”

Obscenity

“Community standards”

“Prurient interests”

Preferred position

Imminent danger*

Neutrality and Clarity

Least-restrictive means

John Peter Zenger

Pentagon Papers

Slander

Commercial speech

Right to assemble

Right to associate*

Search warrant

Indictment*

Grand Jury*

Substantive due process*

Procedural due process

Probable cause*

Exclusionary rule*

“fruit of the poison tree”

“good faith” exception*

Miranda rights

Capital Punishment

Self-incrimination*

Patriot Act

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Chapter 19 Study Questions

Civil Rights

1.

Why did ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment prove impossible, despite strong congressional and popular support? What does the book say is the pertinent question regarding civil rights?

2.

What were the strategies that black leaders followed in order to obtain civil rights? Once basic rights such as voting and integration had been obtained, what issues did civil rights leaders focus on?

3.

Briefly outline the steps in the NAACP’s strategy in the fight against segregated schools and indicate the success they had in the courts and in implementing desegregation.

4.

What was the issue concerning desegregation vs. integration? How has this issue been resolved?

5.

What were the four developments that made it possible to pass civil rights bills?

6.

What accounts for the change in attitude in Congress towards civil rights issues from the 1960s to the present?

7.

How has the Supreme Court changed in its attitudes towards equal rights for women from the early 20 th century to today? What are the two standards the Court uses today to in considering sex discrimination cases?

8.

What is the debate between those who support “equality of result” and those who support “equality of opportunity”?

9.

What are the criteria that the Supreme Court has adapted in defining strict scrutiny of any law involving racial preferences?

10.

Briefly summarize the highlights of the government’s response to abortion.

11.

How did activists for the disabled manage to get The Americans with Disabilities Act passed? Briefly summarize what is included in the law and the objections that some have had to the law.

12.

In Walter Williams’s article, he expressed a very strong opinion regarding Proposition 209. Summarize his argument and express your own opinions on the subject.

Civil Rights

Suspect classifications*

Strict Scrutiny and semi-strict scrutiny*

Reasonableness or rationality standard*

Jim Crow laws*

“equal protections of the laws”

“separate but equal”

“with all deliberate speed”

Segregation and desegregation * integration* de jure segregation de facto segregation

Civil disobedience

Civil Rights Act of 1957

Terms to Know

Equal Pay Act of 1963

Civil Rights Act of 1964*

Voting Rights Act of 1965*

Open Housing Act of 1968 (Title VIII)

Reverse discrimination*

“Equality of opportunity:

“Equality of result”

Quotas and preferences

Higher Education Act of 1972 (Title IX) *

Education of All Handicapped Children Act of

1975)

Voting Rights Act of 1982

Compensatory action

“compelling government interest” *

“narrowly tailored” *

Civil Rights Act of 1988

American with Disabilities Act of 1990*

Concurring opinion*

Sexual harassment

Equal Employment Opportunities Commission

Dissenting opinion*

“comparable worth”

Equal Rights Amendment*

Right to privacy*

Affirmative Action*

Supreme Court Cases for this unit

Incorporation

Barron v. Baltimore (1833)

*Gitlow v. New York (1925)

Near v. Minnesota (1931)

Palko v. Connecticut (1937)

Freedom of Religion: Establishment Clause

*Everson v. Board of Education (1942)

*Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971)

Westside Community Schools v. Mergens (1990)

Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe (2000)

Freedom of Religion: Free Exercise Clause

Reynolds v. United States (1879)

Sherbert v. Verner (1963)

Employment Division, Department of Human Resources of Oregon v. Smith (1990)

Church of the Lukuani Babalu Ave., v. City of Hialeah (1993)

Freedom of Speech and Press

*Schenck v. United States (1919)

*Gitlow v. New York (1925)

Near v. Minnesota (1931)

New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964)

*Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)

*New York Times Co. v. U.S. (1971)

Miller v. California (1973)

Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

Texas v. Johnson (1989)

Freedom of Assembly and Petition

NAACP v. Alabama (1958)

Boy Scouts of American v. Dale (2000)

2 nd Amendment rights

District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

Due Process and the Rights of the Accused

* Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

*Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

*Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Death Penalty cases: Furman v. Georgia (1972) and Gregg v. Georgia (1976)

New Jersey v. T.L.O (1985)

Equal Protection of the Laws – Minorities

*Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

*Korematsu v. United States (1944)

*Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)

*Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978)

Lawrence v. Texas (2003)

Grutter v. Bollinger (2003) and Gratz v. Bollinger (2003)

Equal Protection of the Laws – Women and the Rights to Privacy and Abortion

*Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)

Reed v. Reed (1971)

*Roe v. Wade (1973)

Webster v. Reproductive Health Services (1989)

Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992)

Gonzales v. Carhart (2007)

* indicates you should know this case by name. You can know them by their shorthand name such as Plessy or Bakke. For the others knowing them by name would be ideal, but is not required. Its more important to understand the cases and their ramifications.

178

Supreme Decision Project

(Civil Rights)

The Process

The Procedure:

Get into a group of six people.

Enter the lottery and win your choice of a landmark Supreme Court case.

Research your case. Find out the story behind the case. What really happened to cause this case to come to the court.

Read the text of the court’s majority opinion.

179

Possible sources:

In the Reference section (these do not circulate, so they will always be there!):

 Landmark Decisions of the United States Supreme Court (Five volumes), R 347.7326.

 Johnson, John W., Editor. Historic U.S. Court Cases, 1690-1990: An Encyclopedia, R 349.73026.

 Knappman, Edward W., Editor. Great American Trials: From Salem Witchcraft to Rodney King. R

347.737

Internet: http://supct.law.cornell.edu/supct/ http://www.fedworld.gov/supcourt/csearch.htm

THE PRODUCT:

 Each person in the group will: Write a one page legal brief for your case which will be presented in typed form. o Create a presentation which supplies all of the facts regarding your case BEFORE it came to the Court. You may NOT have actual Supreme Court room scenes in your drama. This will be presented by your group in the formal setting of a drama. You may present your project as a live performance complete with props and costumes or as a video documentary. Remember that your goal is to enlighten your audience. Of course, it's nice to be entertained too! Your presentation must be 10 minutes in length. Projects will be presented on:

Grading will be based on:

 Variety, quality, and breadth of scholarly research

 Historical accuracy of information presented

Clarity of expression, both written and oral

 Creativity of presentation, not of factual information

Effective conveying of information to the class

 Incorporation of legal precedents and issues rather than your opinions

 Length of presentation (10 minutes). Major penalties will be assessed to presentations that are too

 short.

For subjects that are controversial, how you TASTEFULLY present the facts of the case.

180

How to Write a Legal Brief

There will be three parts to your legal brief regarding your landmark Supreme Court Case. They are:

 Statement of the case: State the question to be settled by the court. For example, Shall there be mandatory testing for AIDS for all pregnant women?

 Summary of the argument: Summarize the pro and con arguments. This will state the principles

 involved in the case.

Conclusion of the court: State the principle which the court handed down in its majority opinion. For example, There will be no mandatory testing for AIDS for all pregnant women.

Format:

 The brief will include the title of the case and everybody's name in your group (in the upper-right corner). Your case’s brief must be two pages (limited to one piece of paper, both sides).

 The brief must be typed, double spaced.

 The brief must have the lines numbered down the left column of the page (for reference purposes)

181

Proposition 209

Walter E. Williams, June 5, 1997

California voters passed the California Civil Rights Initiative of 1996, more popularly known as Proposition

209 that says, "The state shall not discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting." The spirit of Proposition 209 is identical to the Civil Rights Act of

1964: "No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance." Through logical contortionism, liberals and the civil rights establishment praise the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and condemn Proposition 209 as racist and unconstitutional.

Let's look at some of Proposition 209's initial results.

Recently released acceptance figures, by UCLA's School of Law, show that only 21 black applicants were accepted, down 80 percent from the 104 accepted the previous year. At UC Berkeley's Law School, of the 792 students accepted this year, there were only 14 blacks compared to 75 last year. There were also declines in the number of Mexican-American students accepted. At each school, the number of white and Asian students accepted rose.

How should people concerned with the upward mobility of blacks and Mexican-Americans respond? One strategy is to try to overturn Proposition 209. The first attempt to do so failed where the 9 th

Circuit Court of

Appeals overruled a lower court's preliminary injunction. Another strategy is to support President Clinton's legal manipulation to "mend not end" affirmative action. A far superior strategy emerges if we ask why blacks need preferential treatment in the first place. We darn sure don't need preferential treatment to be in, and in fact dominate, the NBA or the NFL.

It all has to do with excellence. If blacks graduated from college with the same grade point averages and

LSAT scores there'd be no question, they'd be admitted to law schools at the same rate as whites and Asians.

Nobody has claimed that law schools are turning away blacks with academic credentials equal to and higher than whites and Asians. The truth of the matter is that too many blacks receive twelve years of fraudulent primary and secondary education that cannot be overcome by four years of college. Unfortunately, liberals and civil rights organizations add to that disaster by giving unquestioned support to a corrupt education establishment that produces the fraud. Any kind of effective education reform, including educational vouchers, tuition tax credits and even private voucher programs, are fought tooth and nail.

I reject the notion that blacks need preferential treatment. What's needed is more of what my friend Mr. Alfred

Jenkins, a retired Los Angeles Assistant District Attorney, is doing. Al is concerned about the problems blacks have passing the bar examination, but he doesn't charge the exam as racist or culturally biased. He conducts a free intensive tutorial program. To give you a flavor of his approach, he asks students, "How many hours can you study for the bar each day?" Students might respond with 6 hours, 10 hours and so forth. Then Al asks,

"If I had an Uzi pointed at your head, how long could you study?" Then he says, "Tell your friends and family goodbye, eliminate any other distractions and pretend there's an Uzi pointed at your head." Jenkins has chalked up a phenomenal success record. Unlike white liberals and the civil rights establishment, Al and I have confidence in black abilities.

Walter E. Williams

June 5, 1997

Unit IV: Government in the American Economy

Accelerator

Aggregate demand

Aggregate supply

Automation

Base year

Business cycles

Business fluctuation

Capital to labor ratio

Consumer price index

Creeping inflation

Current GDP

Cyclical unemployment

Deflation

Depression

Depression scrip

Disposable income

Earned income tax credit

Econometric model

Enterprise zone

Expansion

Family

Fiscal policy

Food stamps

Frictional unemployment

Galloping inflation

GDP in constant dollars

Gross Domestic Product

Gross National Product

Growth triangle

Household

Hyperinflation

Implicit GDP price deflator

Index of leading indicators

Inflation

Intermediate products

Keynesian economics

Labor productivity

Laffer curve

Lorenz curve

How is GDP measured

What are the various stages of the business cycle?

What are the various types of unemployment?

Major Assignments

Econ Midterm

Macroeconomic equilibrium

Market basket

Monetarism

Multiplier

National income

National income accounting

Negative income tax

Net exports of goods and services

Net national product

Nonmarket transactions

Output-expenditure model

Peak

Personal income

Personal income

Poverty guidelines

Price index

Price level

Producer price index

Real GDP

Recession

Renewable resources

Seasonal unemployment

Second hand sales

Standard of living

Structural unemployment

Tax base

Technological unemployment

Trend line

Trough

Underground economy

Unemployed

Unemployment rate

Unrelated individual

Wage-price controls

Welfare

Workfare

182

183

Create Your Own Business Project

Part One

Step One : Select A Partner

Step Two : Select a Product or a Service that you want to provide (Must Be Approved prior to Research)

Current members of the Rock Band or the Art Marketing Class, you will use your own Rock Band and/or

Marketing project for this assignment.

Step Three: Conduct Internet and Local Research to determine what the Factors of Production will be for your Business.

Step Four: Conduct Research and Determine Your Fixed Costs (See Chapter Five)

Step Five : Conduct Research and Determine Your Businesses Approximate Variable Costs For Specific

Production Levels (See Chapter Five)

Step Six: Predict Your Firms Potential Profits and Create a Revenue Curve and Cost Curve

Step Seven: Develop a Marketing Concept that includes a slogan, a unique symbol, and select a form of media (TV, Radio, Print and or Internet) that you will use.

Report Format

Your Proposal Should have the Following Sections:

Cover Page

Table of Contents

A Five Page Typed Summary of how the business will operate. In the summary you should identify the following.

Why you decided to start this Business

How did you decide there was an underdeveloped market for your Product or Service?

What are the Business’s Factors of Production?

What was the rational behind the specific size and location of your business?

How much money will you need to borrow to start your business?

How much money do you plan on bringing in each month? Explain how you calculated this prediction. How many customers do you expect to have each month?

When will you make a profit? Explain your calculation.

How will you market and promote your business? How much do you plan on spending to market your business? What forms of media will you use. Explain your marketing concept

The Summary should follow this format

I. Introduction

II. Explain how you will organize your business.

III. Explain your costs, revenue, profit predictions.

IV. Explain how you will effectively market your business.

V. Conclusion

A Table Identifying your Start-up and Monthly Costs

A Graph of your Revenue Curve and Your Cost Curve, every month for a year. The curves should reflect any seasonal fluctuations your business might have.

Your Marketing Concept that includes a slogan, unique symbol, and the form of media that you will use.

Part Two

Electronic Promotion

Create a two minute audio or video informercial that will explain to potential investors why they should invest in your business, This is not a commercial, you must maintain a semi-professional presentation style when giving your presentation.

Extra Credit: Develop a one-minute Commercial on Video

Project Due:

STUDENT NAMES:

GRADE:

COVER PAGE (5

PTS)

3 PAGE

SUMMARY

(45 PTS)

COST TABLE (10

PTS)

TOTAL COST &

TOTAL REVENUE

GRAPH (10 PTS)

MARKETING

PLAN

(10 PTS)

ELECTRONIC

PRESENTATION

(10PTS )

GRAMMAR &

SPELLING (10

PTS)

Extra Credit- Video

Commercial (10 points)

Total (110 PTS

Possible)

184

Absolute advantage

ASEAN

Black market

Capital flight

Capitalism

Collectivization

Communism

Comparative advantage

Default

Developing country

Dumping

EU

Exports

External debt

Fixed exchange rate

Flexible exchange rate

Foreign exchange

Free traders

Major Assignments

Economics Midterm

Stock Project

Unit V International Economics

IMF

Imports

Infant industries

Life expectancy

NAFTA

Privatization

Protectionists

Protective tariff

Quota

Revenue tariff

Socialism

Tariff

Trade deficit

Trade surplus

Trade-weighted value of the dollar

World Bank

World Trade Organization

Zero population

185

186

Stock Market Project and Contest

Congratulations: You’ve inherited $100,000 and in order to keep the money you must do the following transactions over the next 9 week trading period.

You must buy stock in purchases of 50 shares or more

You cannot buy any less

You must buy shares of at least three different companies.

You need to track the price of your stocks weekly

Use the Internet to research a company in the stock market. Try to find a description of the company and its products and a report of its earnings and dividends in the past year.

You may trade your stocks at any time up to the last week of the quarter, but there is a 9.95 stock brokers fee that will automatically be deducted from your account.

Final Report (2/3 of points) - Your final report should consist of a minimum 600 word description of your companies and their products that is listed in your portfolio in the last week of the quarter and a report of their earnings during the past year. When you finish your report, attach your portfolio and submit it. You will be graded on the completeness of your report and also on the correctness of the writing. Spelling, grammar, punctuation, syntax, and sentence structure will all play a part in determining your grade.

Final Portfolio (1/3 of points)- Your final report should consist of your weekly charting of your stocks prices for the next few weeks. It should also include a graph showing the rise and fall of your stocks through the next few weeks (Many companies have these charts online)

The Contest- The two students who have the highest profit throughout the next weeks will receive 50 extra credit points toward their final grade

Stock Project Webpage: http://vse.marketwatch.com/Game/Homepage.aspx

Project Game Name:

Game Dates: