Last Assignment, Spring 2020

Pick one:

• For responsible party government to happen, writes Hershey (p. 350), "all the elected branches of government would have to be controlled by the same party at a particular time." [Emphasis in the original.]  This situation existed in 2017 and 2018.  So did we have responsible party government?  Explain with reference to class readings, discussions, and outside research.
• Lee finished her book before the 2016 election.  Write an update.  Explain how subsequent events either confirm the chapter's argument or raise new questions that the author does not address.
• Should the United States adopt structural reforms to encourage a multiparty system?  Explain why or why not.  And if not, what kinds of changes would be necessary?
• This article suggests a parliamentary system for the United States:  https://nationalinterest.org/feature/america-needs-parliament-17220.  Agree or disagree?  Explain.
• How will COVID-19 change the party system?  Will it diminish polarization or increase it?  Will it strengthen, weaken, or transform either party?
• Pick a relevant topic of your choice, subject to my approval.  If you have a passion that bears a plausible connection to American political parties, write about it.

The specifications:

• Essays should be typed (12-point), double-spaced, and no more than four pages long. I will not read past the fourth page. Please submit papers as Word documents, not pdfs.
• Cite your sources. Please use endnotes in Turabian format. Endnotes do not count against the page limit. Please do not use footnotes, which take up too much page space. 
• Watch your spelling, grammar, diction, and punctuation. Errors will count against you. Return essays to the Sakai dropbox for this class by 11:59 PM, Wednesday May 6.