American Government and Organization PS1301 Wednesday, 10 September

Outline for Course A Case for Reform? Causes and Consequences Start Friday - Concepts: Collective action, Collective goods, Prisoner’s dilemma, Free-rider

Prospects for Reform – Is the idea of reforming the republic radical?

Process for Amendments

Reforms at the National Level The U.S. Constitution was designed to preserve the status quo. However, it does allow for changes to be made through supra-majorities. There have been a total of 17 Amendments since the original Bill of Rights: Examples: Voting extended to nonwhites (1870, 15th Amendment) Direct election of senators (1913, 17th Amendment) Women given right to vote (1920, 19th Amendment) Elimination of poll tax (1964, 24th Amendment) Extend voting rights to 18 yr olds (1971, 26th Amendment)

Electoral Reform without Amending Constitution Voting Rights Act of 1965 Suspension of “literacy tests” Voter registration (local) subject to federal regulation and Justice Dept. protection Campaign Finance Reform 2002 McCain-Feingold: Ban on “soft” money to political parties (unlimited contributions)

Effects of Voting Rights Act Voter registration rates (1965 vs. 1988).

Campaign Finance Reform Supreme Court hears case on Campaign Finance reform on September 8, 2003.

Reforms at State Level More flexible Term limits Early voting; Texas as an example Voting by mail Direct democracy – initiative and recall Direct primaries

Reforms in Texas A total of 22 Propositions are currently on the ballot for amending the state constitution

Next Week Does the Republic Need Reforming? What People think of Reform Consequences of Reform