Research some possible alternatives to the First Past the Post (FPTP) system. Argue which one, in your opinion, is the best to replace FPTP. Please explain the alternative you chose thoroughly for your classmates, and include other countries, if any, that use it. Or, argue that we should keep FPTP, providing evidence as to why its better than specific alternatives (250 words min).
Helpful links: First Past the Post Explained (watch again if needed) Proportional Representation, explained (youtube) The Alternative Vote, explained (youtube) Single Transferable Vote, explained (youtube) MIT Election Alternatives Debate (article) Electoral College Alternatives (Word Doc) Please feel free to use other sources, but please cite any/all cites you use in MLA format. In addition to your post, comment on the posts of two other classmates (3 posts total). Due: Tuesday, November 27th before class.
22 Comments
Does everyone in the US get to vote? What progressive changes have been made in terms of voting? What regressive changes have been made? What or who is next in terms of enfranchisement? Should we lower the age, challenge state restrictions, or something else?
Read Putnam’s article and the information in the shared Google Doc. Click on the links provided. In one, cohesive post, consider the following: Why is social capital declining? What information within this activity struck you the most? What is another concept/statistic that might contribute to the decline? What are solutions to the decline of social capital? Create one real solution to build social capital at school, local, or national level. What criticisms do you have of Robert Putnam’s thesis? Once you have completed your initial post, comment on the post of at least one other classmate. Post 1: Paste your information from the Diversity assignment on the USG blog (if working with someone else, one person in your group can post for both)
In subject line “Name of your person - your names” In discussion post - all info Post 2: How many households are like yours? Read “How many households are like yours.” Write a 200 word response based on what you learned. Include specific demographic data. Post 3: How does your county compare to the rest of the US? Read “America is changing demographically. Here’s how your county compares.” Write a 200 word response based on what you learned. Include specific demographic data. Post 4: Diversity Include responses to the following questions in one, thoughtful post.
Please put all four posts in separate comment boxes. Please label which post you are completing in each. Group 3: Courtney, Landon
Additionally, Federalist No. 51 explains how constitutional provisions of separation of powers and checks and balances control abuses by majorities. Read Federalist 51 (link above), and the following questions in one, thoughtful post on the weebly. Please address all questions asked. According to Madison, what is the nature of man and government? In his opinion, what is the best kind of government? What is human nature? How should we guard against tyranny? The great problem in framing a government is that a government must be able to control the people, but equally important, must be forced to….? What branch does Madison believe is the most powerful? Why? Since the legislature dominates republican government, what can be done to limit the power of the legislature? Describe the main point of Federalist 51. Once you have completed your initial post, make at least one comment on the post of another classmate from each different group. For example, if you completed the questions about Brutus I, comment on one post about Federalist 10 and one about Federalist 51. Group 2: Nathan, Jack, McKay
Anti-Federalist writings, including Brutus No. 1, adhered to popular democratic theory that emphasized the benefits of a small decentralized republic while warning of the dangers to personal liberty from a large, centralized government. Read Brutus 1 (link above), and the following questions in one, thoughtful post on the weebly. Please address all questions asked. Which form of government is best and why? Why does Brutus believe that a large republic, as established by the Constitution, lead to tyranny? With which powers of the new government is Brutus particularly concerned? Why? What concerns does Brutus have about the relationships between the federal and state governments? What are the overall biggest fears of the Anti-Federalists? In your opinion, are those fears justified? Once you have completed your initial post, make at least one comment on the post of another classmate from each different group. For example, if you completed the questions about Brutus I, comment on one post about Federalist 10 and one about Federalist 51. Group 1: Adam, Doris, Anna
Madison’s arguments in Federalist No. 10 focused on the superiority of a large republic in controlling the “mischiefs of faction,” delegating authority to elected representatives and dispersing power between the states and national government. Read Federalist 10 (link above), and the following questions in one, thoughtful post on the weebly. Please address all questions asked. Explain Madison’s definition of faction in Federalist 10. What are the two ways to remove factions according to Madison in Federalist 10? According to Madison, how do you control the effects of minority factions? How does federalism control factions? Why is a large representative republic the cure for majority factions? How does Madison’s viewpoint on factions impact the drafting of the US Constitution? Once you have completed your initial post, make at least one comment on the post of another classmate from each different group. For example, if you completed the questions about Brutus I, comment on one post about Federalist 10 and one about Federalist 51. Please respond to the following series of questions in at least 200 words. Comment on the post of at least two other classmates by adding creative and thoughtful perspective obtained from the Freedom House website.
https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2018 What methodology does Freedom House use to determine freedom? Which are the most free countries in the world? Where are they? Which are the least free? Where are they? Where does the US fall? What factors affect the US ranking? What struck you most about the research available via Freedom House? |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
May 2019
Categories |