Politics paper 3 essay plan points Flashcards
EVTV that the entrenched and codified nature of the US constitution has more advantages than disadvantages (30)
THEME 1: judiciable/rights protection
THEME 2: the amendment process
THEME 3: limited government
EVTV that the US is no longer federal today (30)
THEME 1: policy areas (greater state control vs need for nationality applied standards and pervasive nature during national emergencies)
THEME 2: the Supreme Court, protecting federalism (major cases maximise state autonomy vs inconsistencies in rulings)
THEME 3: the growth of power and size of the executive branch
EVTV that the US constitution is effective in achieving the principles set out by the founding fathers (30)
THEME 1: federalism (whether it is protected etc)
THEME 2: limited government (powers and roles being clearly defined vs vagueness of constitution and the expansion)
THEME 3: checks and balances (codified nature, being clearly defined vs in practice are they effective in an era of party polarisation)
EVTV that the US constitution is democratic (30)
THEME 1: checks and balances (ensures no branch is overly dominate vs are they effective and do they create tyranny of the minority)
THEME 2: the nature of federalism within the US constitution (state autonomy, vs does it lead to inequalities, partisanship many citizens do not have equal access to things)
THEME 3: the amendment process (too difficult vs the difficulty is rooted in bipartisanship)
EVTV that the formal constitutional amendment process has more advantages than disadvantages (30)
THEME 1: flexibility (difficult to remove outdated elements, like the electoral college vs protecting key constitutional principles)
THEME 2: democracy (is the process democratic or not)
THEME 3: the Supreme Court (gives the Supreme Court excessive power vs effective check and balance)
EVTV that congress is effective in representing the electorate (30)
THEME 1: descriptive representation (minority majority districts etc, improved demographic representation, still proportionally unequal)
THEME 2: political representation (the democrats and republicans are broadchurch parties vs undermined by partisanship and an expectation to vote along party lines)
THEME 3: geographical representation (constituency link, whether the incumbency advantage undermines this)
EVTV that the most important factor influencing how congress people vote is public opinion in their constituency (30)
THEME 1: elections (public opinion, take into account or run the risk of being voted out vs finances)
THEME 2: policy (public opinion over major policy initiatives vs partisanship and being determined by the wider politics of the party)
THEME 3: interest groups and lobbyists, political pressure (pressure from constituents ‘all politics is local’ vs the revolving door in politics)
EVTV that Congress fulfils it’s legislative function effectively (30)
THEME 1: initiating and passing legislation (system ensures that legislation that passes has bipartisan support vs issues of gridlock and lack of productivity etc)
THEME 2: the refinement process (effective of standing committees, expertise etc vs issues, committees decide what to hear, most bills die in committee and pigeon holing etc)
THEME 3: consent component (frequency of elections, less likely to vote with the party vs party line voting and the issue of the filibuster)
EVTV that Congress’s oversight of the president is effective (30)
THEME 1: congressional committees (most active working mechanism vs may be limited in effectiveness during times of united gov)
THEME 2: impeachment and oversight (deterrent vs has never been successfully used and is wielded as a political tool)
THEME 3: appointments (making sure they are effective vs politicised)
EVTV that Congress is the ‘broken branch’ (30)
THEME 1: legislative function (patterns of gridlock vs despite conservative amount passing it is long lasting with bipartisan support)
THEME 2: representative function (whether it is or isn’t)
THEME 3: performing oversight (committees being effective vs times of united gov)
EVTV that the president is able to dominate in foreign policy (30)
THEME 1: military action (can initiate military action without presidential approval vs constructional powers of congress)
THEME 2: treaties vs executive agreements
THEME 3: international diplomacy
EVTV that the President’s informal powers are more significant than their formal powers (30)
THEME 1: legislative process (formal power= approve legislation vs informal power= power of persuasion)
THEME 2: policy/implementing laws (formal= cabinet/executive appointments vs informal= use of executive orders)
THEME 3: foreign policy (formal= role as commander in chief vs informal= executive agreement)
EVTV that a president’s popularity is the most important factor in determining their power (30)
THEME 1: how it shapes their relationship with congress (draw on personal mandate vs times of divided gov)
THEME 2: how it shapes their relationship with interest groups (membership of groups rallying behind vs being bankrolled)
THEME 2: how it shapes the relationship with the electorate/the party (mobilise party and rally supporters vs dependent upon the political climate)
EVTV that the President’s power is effectively limited by the constitution and the Supreme Court (30)
THEME 1: the checks and balances system (set out by the constitution, separation of powers, independent judiciary vs whether these are actually effective in partisan era)
THEME 2: judicial review
THEME 3: constitutional checks by congress (advice and consent vs being avoided)
EVTV that the President’s power is effectively limited by Congress and the Supreme Court (30)
THEME 1: military action ( president acting unilaterally without congress)
THEME 2: judicial reviews etc
THEME 3: separation of powers (SC main arbiter so can ensure that this is maintained)