POL 310  Essay Questions

 

1)  What is the general role of political parties and elections in the development of nation/states?  How is the nature of the development of the US and Ruritania reflected in the political party system of these countries?  How might one argue that the US’s stability (as contrasted with the instability of Ruritania) is a reflection of the nature of its electoral system?

 

2)  Many argue that there is a direct relationship between the structure of the electoral system, the development of the party system, and the instability/ instability of the country.  Identify the five factors associated with electoral systems and discuss how they affect party system development.  Use these factors to make the connection between electoral system party system and stability/instability in analyzing the differences between the US and Ruritania.

 

3)  The Schlessinger article is a key article in this course.  Briefly discuss the article and then described how the article reinforces the notion of either the participatory or plural approach to democracy, being sure to make a clear distinction between these two forms.

 

4)  After elections are over, governments must be formed.  Why is this step important and how is it done in both the US and Ruritania.  Demonstrate how it can be complex in one and easy in the other?  Be sure to discuss the following in your essay:

 

1)  forming a government in Iraq

Iraq leaders try again to form government

Iraq PM in talks to form government

Shiite politician will create a new government

 

2)  forming a government in Italy

Italian general election 2006

Approval of new voting system for 2006

Berlusconi silent after Supreme Court declare Prodi the winner

 

3)  forming a government in Ruritania

 

4)  forming a government in the US.

US formation in comparative perspective