Federalism 2010, The 1^st Paper

There are many theories about how governments in a federal system like the United States work together. Some focus on the constitutional limitations on each level of government. Others believe operational federalism is different than legal federalism, that governments at all levels do what they can to respond to problems. Yet others think money talks. That is, the key variable distinguishing which level of government does what is a function of who has the money to address problems and issues the nation faces.

Consider the following issues that have become the subject of political debate during the past year:

· Immigration

· Same-sex marriage

· Health care

· Gun control

· Voting rights

· Fuel efficiency standards

· Environmental standards

· State militias

· Regulation of drilling (Gulf oil drilling moratorium)

Each of these issues involves a dispute over the authority of the national government versus state governments. (Others may arise over the next month and are fair game for this paper.)

Choose an issue of interest to you. (You must declare your choice to your recitation instructor by the end of the 4th week of the semester.) Describe and evaluate the way in which American governments deal with the issue. What does this tell you about Federalism?

Data Collection:

Collect fifty (50) newspaper articles on this topic. The easiest way to do so is to search the news on any of a number of common search engine news services (Google, MSN, Yahoo). At least 20% (but no more than 50%) of your articles must be opinion pieces, that is, they must be the newspaper’s editorial position or Op-Ed comments from regular columnists. (Letters by readers do not count.)

To organize your paper, you must turn in a spreadsheet listing each of the 50 articles you have found on the topic. This spreadsheet must include

· The title of the article

· The author (reporter, columnist or editorial board)

· The type of article (news, editorial, op-ed)

· The name of the paper

· Date of publication

· The position of the article (neutral, pro-national government, pro-state government)

The Writing Tasks:

1. Outline the problem. What’s happened in 2010 to make this a power struggle between governments.

2. Summarize the competing positions. What is the federal government’s position? What do states ((maybe not all states) want to do that is distinct from the national government?

3. Evaluate the competing positions. What is the logic behind each side? Even if you disagree, make clear what the case is for each side in the dispute.

4. Make your position known and explain why (considering the positive and negatives of both positions) you have chosen one side or the other.

5. Finally, explain what these different activities tell you about the operation of the U.S. Constitution in the modern times? (What do we learn about Federalism?)

Guidelines:

1. Your essay is due in lecture on Tuesday, October 12^th. (Turn in a paper copy and also email an electronic copy to your TA.)
2. This is not a group project. You must collect your own set of articles.
3. Your essay should be 6-8 pages in length (not counting the bibliography/ spreadsheet of articles), using standard fonts and formats (1 inch margins, double-spaced, font size 11 or 12).
4. Your TA is available outside class to clarify issues and discuss the analysis and presentation of your results. If you can’t meet with your TA during his or her normal office hours, please make an appointment to meet with them.
5. What your TA and I will be looking for:

· A appropriate collection of articles;

· the essay is coherently organized;

· it examines the subject in appropriate depth;

· it is well-written (it makes an argument that can be followed, grammar and spelling are acceptable; and it makes an occasional important/compelling/dazzling insight).