American Government American Government and Organizationand Organization

PS1301PS1301

Wednesday, 21 JanuaryWednesday, 21 January

AnnouncementsAnnouncements

Friday is the deadline to register your Friday is the deadline to register your response pads. After that you will be response pads. After that you will be assumed to be absent from class if you do assumed to be absent from class if you do not have a registered response pad.not have a registered response pad.Kerry’s win in the Iowa caucuses; Edwards Kerry’s win in the Iowa caucuses; Edwards surprising second place showing; Dean’s surprising second place showing; Dean’s disappointing third place finish.disappointing third place finish.The president’s State of the Union The president’s State of the Union Address.Address.

Review: Review: Does the republic need reforming?Does the republic need reforming?

Low turnoutLow turnout Citizen dissatisfaction (in comparative Citizen dissatisfaction (in comparative

perspective)perspective) Failure to achieve electoral majorities - Loss Failure to achieve electoral majorities - Loss

of mandateof mandate Lack of competitive elections – mostly Lack of competitive elections – mostly

congressional levelcongressional level Crisis events –1998 Clinton impeachment and Crisis events –1998 Clinton impeachment and

the 2000 presidential electionthe 2000 presidential election

Constitutional CrisisConstitutional Crisis

1998 Impeachment of Bill Clinton1998 Impeachment of Bill Clinton

Republican House majority elected with 48.9% Republican House majority elected with 48.9% nearly toppled a popular president over a matter nearly toppled a popular president over a matter most Americans found trivial.most Americans found trivial.

2000 Presidential Election2000 Presidential Election

Presidency placed in the hands of party that Presidency placed in the hands of party that received fewer votes.received fewer votes.

Prospects for ReformProspects for Reform

Is the idea of reforming the republic Is the idea of reforming the republic radical?radical?

How can the system be changed?How can the system be changed?

Process for AmendmentsProcess for Amendments

Reforms at the National LevelReforms at the National Level

The U.S. Constitution was designed to preserve the The U.S. Constitution was designed to preserve the status quo. However, it does allow for changes to be status quo. However, it does allow for changes to be made through supra-majorities. made through supra-majorities. There have been a total of 17 Amendments since the There have been a total of 17 Amendments since the original Bill of Rights:original Bill of Rights:Examples:Examples:

Voting extended to nonwhites (1870, 15Voting extended to nonwhites (1870, 15 thth Amendment) Amendment) Direct election of senators (1913, 17Direct election of senators (1913, 17thth Amendment) Amendment) Women given right to vote (1920, 19Women given right to vote (1920, 19thth Amendment) Amendment) Elimination of poll tax (1964, 24Elimination of poll tax (1964, 24thth Amendment) Amendment) Extend voting rights to 18 yr olds (1971, 26Extend voting rights to 18 yr olds (1971, 26 thth Amendment) Amendment)

Electoral Reform without Amending Electoral Reform without Amending ConstitutionConstitution

Voting Rights Act of 1965Voting Rights Act of 1965 Suspension of “literacy tests”Suspension of “literacy tests” Voter registration (local) subject to federal Voter registration (local) subject to federal

regulation and Justice Dept. protectionregulation and Justice Dept. protection

Campaign Finance Reform 2002Campaign Finance Reform 2002 McCain-Feingold: Ban on “soft” money to McCain-Feingold: Ban on “soft” money to

political parties (unlimited contributions)political parties (unlimited contributions)

Effects of Voting Rights ActEffects of Voting Rights Act

Voter registration rates Voter registration rates (1965 vs. 1988).(1965 vs. 1988).

Reforms at State LevelReforms at State Level

More flexibleMore flexible Term limitsTerm limits Early voting; Early voting; TexasTexas as an example as an example Voting by mailVoting by mail Direct democracy – initiative and recallDirect democracy – initiative and recall Direct primariesDirect primaries