American Government 03/04

UNIT 1. Foundations of American Politics Part A. Basic Documents 1. The Declaration of Independence, 1776, Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence , This document formally announces that 13 former British colonies have become the free and independent United States of America. It eloquently identifies certain historic principles on which their claim to independence rests. 2. The Constitution of the United States, 1787, The Constitution of the United States , The Constitution provides an organizational blueprint for the national government and for the federal relationship between the national government and the states. In addition, the first 10 amendments, commonly known as the Bill of Rights, spell out limits on what the government can do. A commentary accompanying the actual document provides a brief account of the writing of the Constitution and also notes some of its significant features. 3. The Size and Variety of the Union as a Check on Faction, James Madison, The Federalist Papers , No. 10, 1787 James Madison argues in support of the union of the 13 states under the new Constitution. According to Madison, a system of representative democracy governing a large territory and many people will help control the undesirable effects of "faction." 4. Checks and Balances, James Madison, The Federalist Papers , No. 51, 1787 According to James Madison, both the separation of powers among three branches of government and the division of powers between the states and the central government will help preserve representative democracy under the new Constitution. Part B. Contemporary Views and Values 5. Why Don't They Like Us?, Stanley Hoffmann, The American Prospect , November 19, 2001 In the wake of September 11, 2001, Stanley Hoffmann explores the factors that have led to various strands of anti-Americanism around the globe. He also suggests ways of addressing legitimate grievances against the contemporary world's sole superpower. 6. Bowling Together: The United States of America, Robert Putnam, The American Prospect , February 11, 2002 Robert Putnam reports that Americans' levels of political consciousness and engagement, as well as their trust in one another, rose in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. 7. The Black-White Wealth Gap, Dalton Conley, The Nation , March 26, 2001 Dalton Conley argues that gaps between the net worth of blacks and whites are telling indicators of continuing racial inequality in the United States. 8. Party On, Dudes! Ignorance Is the Curse of the Information Age, Matthew Robinson, The American Spectator , March/April 2002 Matthew Robinson provides a current update on the state of political knowledge and ignoranceamong Americans. 9. Federalism's Ups and Downs, Carl Tubbesing, State Legislatures , February 2002 Using the views of Alexander Hamilton, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Benjamin Franklin as references, Carl Tubbesing explores three explanations for the growth of the national government's power at the expense of the states. Part C. Constitutional and Legal Matters 10. It's a War, Stupid! Understanding and Misunderstanding the Detainees, Kate O'Beirne, National Review , September 16, 2002 Kate O'Beirne critically assesses the legal status of enemy combatants captured in military hostilities in Afghanistan after September 11, 2001. She concludes that the Bush administration's practices have been consistent with relevant legal precedents. 11. Overruling the Court, Leon Friedman, The American Prospect , August 27, 2001 Leon Friedman notes that Congress can take action to "overrule" Supreme Court decisions interpreting congressional statutes. He argues that Congress should do so with respect to several civil rights laws that have been narrowly interpreted by the Court. 12. Guns and Tobacco: Government by Litigation, Stuart Taylor Jr., National Journal , March 25, 2000 Stuart Taylor identifies what he sees as a disturbing new trend: making public policy through litigation in the courts instead of in Congress and the executive branch of government. UNIT 2. Structures of American Politics Part A. The Presidency 13. Gone Are the Giants, Burt Solomon, National Journal , May 27, 2000 Burt Solomon argues that relatively unimpressive individualsand not political "giants"have come to occupy all three branches of government in recent decades. He also explores why this trend has occurred. 14. The Return of the Imperial Presidency?, Donald R. Wolfensberger, The Wilson Quarterly , Spring 2002 Donald Wolfensberger reviews the concept of the imperial presidency and explores the extent to which it has returned in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. 15. Fixing the Appointment Process, Alvin S. Felzenberg, Brookings Review , Spring 2001 Alvin Felzenberg reviews problems that have plagued the appointment process in U.S. government and discusses seven ways suggested by various bodies to streamline and improve that process. 16. Confidence Men, Joshua Micah Marshall, The Washington Monthly , September 2002 Joshua Micah Marshall argues that the image of competence frequently associated with many high-ranking members of the Bush administration is unwarranted. 17. Washington's Mega-Merger, The Economist , November 23, 2002 This selection reviews the details and the rationale for the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security as a reaction to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Part B. Congress 18. On Their Own Terms, Martha Angle, CQ Weekly , December 28, 2002 Martha Angle introduces the 60-odd women who serve in the 108th Congress. She suggests that they are mostly a different breed from their congressional predecessors. 19. Postcards From Sisyphus: What I Saw During the Confirmation Wars, Gary J. Andres, PS: Political Science and Politics , March 2002 Gary Andres identifies what he calls the "five deadly sins" that senators commit in efforts to delay or defeat presidential nominations to fill executive branch positions. 20. Improving Oversight: The Endless Task of Congress, Joel D. Aberbach, Society , November/December 2002 Joel Aberbach surveys congressional oversight, the process whereby Congress reviews execStinebrickner, Bruce is the author of 'American Government 03/04' with ISBN 9780072838251 and ISBN 0072838256.