PSCI 101 American Political System
Final Paper Assignment
Due Wednesday, April 11, 2007
This is your final paper assignment for class. Journalist David Broder devotes the better
part of his book on Direct Democracy to discussing the place of the initiative process in
American politics today. Broder’s arguments are controversial and have elicited a good
deal of debate. I would like you to join in this debate. Your paper should seek to address
the following two points:
1. Identify the position that Broder takes regarding direct democracy. Don’t mix up
Broder’s position with the position of anyone else that he quotes in the selections
from his book. Make sure the position (pro or con direct democracy) is Broder’s.
2. Identify James Madison’s positions on direct democracy. Madison has one
position in Federalist #10, but has another in Federalist #51. Make sure to
identify both.
3. Compare Broder to both of Madison’s positions on direct democracy. In one
paper, Madison is critical of direct democracy; in another, he seems to support it.
What does this nuanced position by Madison tell us about Broder’s position?
Your paper will require you to reread The Federalist Papers (located in the back of the
Wilson text) and then use both #10 and #51 to demonstrate that you have a more complex
understanding of American constitutional design and politics than Broder does. Since
Federalist #10 and #51 have very different ideas about direct democracy, in effect your
paper will have to juggle three different perspectives and make sense of each in relation
to the other. This is an extremely challenging assignment, but one that each of you
should be able to do if you proceed carefully, thoughtfully and given enough time.
Other requirements for your paper:
1. Although your paper should stick close to three pages, you can use four pages if
necessary for this assignment.
2. It should contain sufficient direct and indirect quotations from both readings and
should properly cite these readings using Chicago Manual style (footnotes).
3. It should be turned in on time. As stated in the syllabus, papers must be turned
in on time. Absolutely no late papers will be accepted.
4. Be sure to thoroughly proofread your papers for small mistakes and typos.
5. Be sure to review the grading rubric for short papers so that you can guarantee
that you have fulfilled each graded element of the paper to your satisfaction.
6. Review your previous papers and my comments. These generally provide good
guidance for you to identify areas of improvement in your writing.
7. Please include both a signed honor code statement with your paper as well as a
proper bibliography.
