How well does Congress reflect the American public demographically? Is this a problem for representation? Be sure to consider multiple demographic characteristics in your response.
What will be an ideal response?
Students should first consider the descriptive portion of the question; members of Congress tend to come from the social and economic elite. They are richer, more well-educated, and have more prestigious backgrounds in terms of occupation compared to the “average” American. Congress is also whiter and more male than the U.S. population. Atheists are underrepresented in Congress. And, of course, states are unequally represented in the Senate. Good answers should address at least three of these demographic characteristics. Students should then take a position on whether these disparities between members and the general population are problematic for good representation. Good answers could make a variety of arguments but should state a clear position and use concepts from the text (i.e., descriptive vs. substantive representation) in defending this position.
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At the individual level of analysis, what role did Hitler’s personality play in the course of World War II?
a. It played the most crucial role in the first phase, in the decision to annex Czechoslovakia and Poland. b. His appetite and belief in his own superiority led to the mistake of declaring war against the U.S. c. It lengthened the war because Hitler was originally pragmatic and overruled his less conservative generals, who wanted to declare war immediately. d. His racist ideology led him to attack the Soviet Union before attacking Britain because he believed them to be of inferior bloodlines.
Which of the following is an example of “legislative prodding”?
a. Declining to approve a treaty negotiated by the president b. Introducing a bill to require congressional review of nuclear agreements with Iran c. Closing multiple military bases through the BRAC procedure d. Bringing a case against the president or other executive officials in the Supreme Court
What Supreme Court decision determined that no limits could be placed on the amount of his or her own money a candidate spends in an election?
a. Citizens United v. FEC b. Buckley v. Valeo c. McCain v. NRA d. BCRA v. United States
Empowering police forces and other government officials to check U.S. citizenship credentials is an example of
a. delegated powers. b. enumerated powers. c. police powers. d. reserved powers. e. legislative powers.