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Chapter 1. Power and Citizenship in American Politics

Exercises



How do you define freedom?

Go to the CIA's World Factbook web site and select two countries you are interested in analyzing. After making your choices, find out from the "Government" link under "Categories" on the right-hand side what form of government these countries have. Then go to the "Economy" link and find out how much power the private sector has versus how much the government is involved in the economy in each country.

    1. Recall what the text said concerning government control over the economy and over individual lives. Thinking like a political scientist and using the CLUES critical thinking method (see the "Consider the Source" feature in this chapter), lay out an argument with your assumption of whether the people of each country are citizens or subjects. Given the evidence from this web site about each country's economy and government, where would you place them on Figure 1.3?


    2. Formulate a hypothesis about whether the people of each country are citizens or subjects. What criteria are you using to judge freedom?

Views on American citizenship

As Chapter 1 explains, conflicting views of American citizenship exist today. One view is that individual participation in government should be limited because human nature drives citizens to pursue their personal interests over the general good. On the other hand, those who believe in "republican virtue" argue that citizens can put the interests of the community in front of their personal interests. Such debates over the proper roles for citizens are not new. According to the text, James Madison held a very skeptical view of human nature and the ability of citizens to put the common good in front of their own interests.

    1. Go to The Founders' Constitution web page on the Deficiencies of the Confederation. In James Madison's paper on the "Vices of the Political System of the United States," scroll down to #11 of his points as to why the Articles of Confederation were not working properly. What was his view of the American citizen? What motive drives representatives of the people: ambition, personal interest, or the public good? Did Madison feel that people should have more power?


    2. But Madison's view was not the only view regarding whether citizens could handle the demands of citizenship. He believed that government needed to be stronger to check citizens. Read Jefferson's January 30, 1787, letter to Madison from the Early America Review web site. How did Jefferson's view differ from Madison's? The alarm that Madison had over citizen rebellions was clearly not shared in Jefferson's December 20, 1787, letter to Madison from The Founders' Constitution web page on Securing the Republic.


    3. Debates over whether citizens have republican virtue, or whether they need to be tightly penned in by institutions, is not new. Which of these important American founders was correct in his view of citizen virtue: Madison or Jefferson?

Naturalization

One of the additional requirements of naturalization is a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government. The USCIS provides a Naturalization Self-Test for those interested in naturalizing to prepare for their test. Generate questions and answer them for this test, but understand that they are by no means easy and that your performance on this test in no way illustrates how well you will do in this course. Nevertheless, the USCIS clearly wants to ensure that new citizens understand their government and its history. Certainly public education in the United States tries to make sure natural-born citizens are also aware of the government, but one's citizenship is not revoked if he or she does not learn about government. Is this a double standard? Or is this merely a way to make sure immigrants are up-to-speed on the American political system?


Appealing to ideological positions of Americans

As the text makes clear, the "social order ideological dimension does not dovetail neatly with the more traditional liberal and conservative orientations toward government action" in the economy. Consequently Americans may not consider themselves ideologically conservative or liberal on either or both economic and social issues. This issue is confusing enough that many Americans have trouble knowing exactly where they fall ideologically.

    1. Does where you place yourself ideologically match up to the issue positions that you hold? Where do you believe you fit ideologically among those described in the book?


    2. Go to the Pew Center for the People and the Press' Beyond Red vs. Blue web site. Fill out their questionnaire to see where they believe you fall given these questions. Does this fit with where you thought you fell?


    3. Go to the 2004 Republican Party Platform and scroll down to the section titled "Protecting Our Families." Also, go to the 2004 Democratic Party Platform and scroll down to the "A Strong American Community" section. Which party's positions seem to match your own on social issues?


    4. At these same party web sites, visit the "Ushering in an Ownership Era" section of the Republican party platform and the "A Strong, Growing Economy" section of the Democratic party platform. Do the parties fit where you expected them to? Do they match where you placed yourself in the Beyond Red vs. Blue web site quiz?