Friday, October 23, 2015

Politics and Government Homework - Due - Monday, Oct 26

1 - HW: Read Dahl pgs 46 - 62
2 - Answer the following questions:

a) Why do second chambers exist according to Dahl?
b) What is "virtual representation?"
c) Discuss the way representation worked in 19th century Prussia.
d) Discuss Dahl's comparison of Alaska, California, and Nevada. Why does he make this comparison? What is his argument?
e) Which countries exceed the U.S. in degree of unequal representation?
f) Discuss the following question raised by Dahl: Is there a principle of general applicability that justifies an entitlement to extra representation for some individuals or groups? What is Dahl's response to this question?  **You must provide direct evidence with analysis and interpretation.
g) What protections have been established to protect minorities from majorities?
h) How has equal representation in the Senate protected the most privileged minorities? What was the Southern veto?
i) What is the difference between a plurality and a majority?
j) What is the "first-past-the-post" system?
k) Why are third parties rarely represented in such a system?
l) Explain the difference between first-past-the-post and proportional representation.
m) Explain how the "double ballot" system works. How does it compensate for the defects of single member districts.
n) Why was the 1993 nomination for the head of the DOJ Civil Rights Division controversial?
o) What is Duverger's Law?
p) Identify: proportional, majoritarian

No comments: