RESEARCH TOPICS



AP GOVERNMENT RESEARCH PAPER- FIRST SIX WEEKS

Purpose: to prepare you for the AP exam. This assignment allows the students to do in-depth research on possible essay question materials.

Grade: The research papers will count as two test grades. Your grade will be broken down as follows:

grammar, spelling, capitalization, etc. 10%

correct bibliography & internal documentation 10%

content 80%

My grade will count 60% and your groupmates' grade will be 40% of the final individual grade. If you do not agree with the grade that you receive, see the Grievance Procedures on your Course Requirements sheet that you received on the first day of class.

Procedures: I suggest that the group share the responsibilities of BOTH researching and

writing the paper.

Papers are to be 1500-2000 words, typed and double spaced. You must have a

minimum of five sources, not counting your textbook and encyclopedias. The

word count does NOT include the bibliography or cover sheet. Do NOT use

Wikipedia as a source!!!

Due Date: Friday September 26-- Papers are due at the beginning of class

RESEARCH TOPICS

1. "Government bureaucracy is not a neutral machine that simply implements the policy choices made by those who govern. Bureaucrats participate in governing America. The political nature of the bureaucracy, combined with its influence in policy making, necessitates political control of it." Assess the validity of this statement.

Be sure to include the following in your paper:

-the structure, organization, functions and nature of the federal bureaucracy

-specific examples of the various influences on policy making (iron triangles, issue networks)

-specific examples by the legislative and executive branches to control the bureaucracy

-the conduct and behavior of bureaucracy regarding implementation of policy

-possible reforms/solutions to the problems of policy making by the bureaucracy

**specific examples used to support arguments must come from the Reagan-Bush administrations.

2. In Federalist #78, Alexander Hamilton said, "The judiciary… has no influence over the sword or the purse…it may be truly said to have neither force nor will, but merely judgement… the judiciary is beyond comparison, the weakest of the three departments of power…" Assess the validity of Hamilton's remarks in light of the Supreme Court of the United States and its decision making.

Be sure to include the following in your paper:

-the various views regarding the interpretation of the Constitution by the Court (judicial review, original

intent theory)

-the various influences on the Court's decision-making

-the impact of Supreme Court decisions or federal judicial decisions to support your position

-an assessment of the current Supreme Court and its decision making

3. Critics claim that Americans today are more alienated from politics and have lost confidence in government. Assess the validity of this statement by examining and providing specific examples of the following behaviors:

-interest group behavior

-citizen participation behavior

-political party behavior

-congressional behavior

-media behavior

4. Politics has been defined as "Who gets what, when and how." Since the 1990's, this has been particularly true about the Democratic and Republican Parties as they have pushed this definition to the limit by engaging in protracted conflict. Support and provide specific examples of this argument by examining the following:

-reapportionment and gerrymandering

-campaigns and elections

-confirmation politics

-party polarization in Congress

5. Americans want equality in voting as well as equality of opportunity in employment, but they disagree to the extent of the role of government in providing for them. Support and provide evidence of this statement by analyzing recent developments in voting rights and affirmative action.

Be sure to include the following in your paper:

-party policy differences

-relevant Supreme Court decisions in the 1990's & 2000’s

-public opinion from 1990 to the present

-interest group activity and opinion in the 1990's & 2000’s

6. "The current system of campaign financing has become so scandalous that it gives the wealthy inordinate influence while ordinary citizens are virtually excluded from a meaningful role in the democratic process." Assess the validity of this statement by analyzing and assessing the current status of campaign finance reform.

Be sure to include the following in your paper:

-current law regarding campaign finance

-the positive/negative effects on Congress as an institution and on the electorate

-the impact and significance of Buckley v. Valeo (1976)

-the methods and sources of campaign financing, including PAC's, "soft money" and “527” groups

-current proposals regarding reform of campaign financing and the parties' attitude/positions

7. Alexis de Tocqueville said, "In no country in the world has the principle of association been

more successfully used or applied to a greater multitude of objects than in America." Support this statement by examining the role interest groups play in the formation and passage or non-passage of the Brady Bill and President Clinton's health care proposal.

Be sure to include the following in your paper:

-the Framers' intent

-theories of interest group politics

-specific methods employed by interest groups in shaping policy

-the positive and negative effects that interest groups have on the formation of public policy

8. E.E. Schattschneider said, "A democracy without political parties would be a democracy of confusion, inconsistency and chaos. They are so important to the functioning of a democratic system that their emergence is inevitable." However, recent critics say that the two-party system in the United States has become nothing more than an appendage of modern government and plays a minor role in it. Support and defend BOTH views.

Be sure to include the following in your paper:

-the various functions and roles parties play in the political process (i.e. elections, policy making, linkage institutions)

-the advantages and disadvantages of a two-party system

-the Framers' intent regarding the role of political parties in American government

-the various differences within the parties and between the parties

-the various arguments over the decline or resurgence of the two-party system in America

9. Since the adoption of the U.S. Constitution in 1787, the single most persistent source of political conflict has been the relations between the national and state governments. Support and provide evidence of this conflict in the 1990's to the present by examining the following:

-federal aid to the states

-devolution

-Supreme Court and federalism in the 1990's & 2000’s (i.e. debate over the Commerce Clause)

-state to national government relations on the issue

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