1. Discuss the historical perspective of the legislative branch. (First Congresses,
AOC, VA and NJ plans) Discuss the Great Compromise in regards to the
structure, term of office and qualifications it created for the legislature. List and
explain the tasks of the legislature? Discuss the three types of representation each
elected official must chose between to perform their duties. List and discuss the
major influences that help legislators decide how to vote on particular issues.
There is empirical evidence incumbent members of Congress seldom suffer
electoral defeat. List and explain what reasons add up to the “incumbency
advantage”. If you could suggest one reform of the legislature what would it be
and why?
2.Discuss the historical perspectives of the development of the President. (Colony
Governors, VA and NJ Plans) Discuss the Great Compromise as it applies to the
Executive branch–structure, qualifications, and term of office. Presidential
powers are quite broad. List and discuss the six enumerated powers of the
president, as well as the checks which have been place on them. Over the years
presidential power has been expanded. Discuss with examples how presidential
power is expanded. Are theses appropriate and why? Discuss the major
Influences that help the president oversee our country. Today which is the most
influential? If you could suggest one reform of the presidency what would it be
and why?
3.Define Bureaucracy. Government at all levels has grown enormously. List and
discuss the five reasons why our federal government has grown. Today, at what
level of government is most growth seen and why? Define Implementation.
Implementation is an important and problematic stage in the policy process.
Discuss the most persistent problems in policy implementation? List and explain
the four reforms of the bureaucracy. If you could chose one reform to implement
which would it be and why?
4.Discuss the historical perspective of the judicial branch. (VA and NJ plans)
Discuss the structure and jurisdiction of the courts as established by the Great
Compromise, the Judiciary Act of 1789 and how it stands today. How does one
become a federal court judge?
What are some important qualities to have to become a judge?
What is the term of office for a judge? Why? “Deciding to
decide” is an important aspect of Supreme Court policy making.
Discuss the process by which cases come and are decided in the Supreme Court.
Do you agree or disagree the Court system undoes our representative democracy? Why or
why not? If you could suggest one reform of the judiciary what would it be and
why?