POL 213 American Government

Mid-Term Examination

Friday, November 28, 2003

Remember to create a user profile with Turnitin.com, and then submit (upload) your essay no later than midnight tonight.

You do not have to reproduce all the questions here. Just be sure to number your answers consistently so I know which answer is your response to any particular question.

All the best.

1. In Federalist #10 (at A-18 in our text), Madison distinguishes between a pure democracy and a republic. In the context of our discussions in class, explain the difference(s) between a democracy and a republic in the eyes of our Founders, and why they chose one over the other as the basis for a new nation. (Your answer should be 2-3 paragraphs in length. 10 pts possible)

2. There is a specific article/section in the U.S. Constitution that claims to guarantee to every state in the Union a certain form of government. Give the citation (that is, the specific article and section in the Constitution), and quote the language that details the explicit guarantee promised. (3 pts possible)

3. According to the U.S. Constitution, who can be elected to the House of Representatives? List all pertinent criteria that apply, noting where those details can be found in the U.S. Constitution (that is, give the citation to article/section and amendment, as necessary). (4 pts possible)

4. According to the U.S. Constitution, who can be elected to the U.S. Senate? List all pertinent criteria that apply, noting where those details can be found in the U.S. Constitution (that is, give the citation to article/section and amendment, as necessary). (4 pts possible)

5. According to the U.S. Constitution, who can be elected to the U.S. Presidency? List all pertinent criteria that apply, noting where those details can be found in the U.S. Constitution (that is, give the citation to article/section and amendment, as necessary). (4 pts possible)

6. What is the length in time of a single full term in office for a Representative in the House? Are there any limits on re-election? Note where those details can be found in the U.S. Constitution (that is, give the citation to article/section and amendment, as necessary). (4 pts possible)

7. What is the length in time of a single full term in office for a Senator? Are there any limits on re-election? Note where those details can be found in the U.S. Constitution (that is, give the citation to article/section and amendment, as necessary). (4 pts possible)

8. What is the length in time of a single full term in office for a President? Are there any limits on re-election? Note where those details can be found in the U.S. Constitution (that is, give the citation to article/section and amendment, as necessary). (4 pts possible)

9. What do we mean by the term “federalism” when describing the system of government in the United States today? Include at least two examples in your response: one where power is shared, and one where power is not shared, by the political units of a federal system of government. (Your answer should be 2-3 paragraphs in length. 10 pts possible)

10. The Supreme Court of the State of Massachusetts has ruled that a marriage license for two persons of the same sex cannot be denied, and has given the state legislature six months to revise the state’s marriage laws.

1. According to the distinctions noted in our text, would marriage be considered a civil liberty or a civil right? Why? (Your answer should be 1-2 paragraphs in length. 4 points possible.)

2. If a male-male or female-female couple gets married in Massachusetts, under what Constitutional provision(s) might they argue that they ought to be considered as married even when they leave Massachusetts and set up a new home in another state that does not recognize or give licenses for such marriages? (Cite the appropriate articles/sections, involved.) (3 pts possible)

3. How does this constitutional, and social and cultural debate today about marriage reflect “melting pot” versus “multicultural” conceptions of a civil society? (Your answer should be 1-2 paragraphs in length. 6 pts possible)

4. Should marriage laws reflect public opinion? If not, why not? If so, how would you construct a public opinion poll to tell you what the “public” really thinks about the matter? (Your answer should be 2-3 paragraphs in length. 10 pts possible)

5. There has been some talk of an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would explicitly limit marriage to the union of one man with one woman, and so stop Massachusetts and other states from altering their laws and recognizing unions between same-sex couples. Explain how the amendment process would work (citing the U.S. Constitution’s appropriate article/section), and suggest why such an amendment more likely would or would not ultimately be adopted. (Your answer should be 2-3 paragraphs in length. 10 pts possible)