Reaction Paper 1
Democracy in the United States
Before beginning this assignment, make certain that you have read the three articles listed below. Then, write a brief report that contains three separate sections that address all the points in each set of questions. Notice the expected word count for each section (approximately 150-200 words). While exceeding the word count will not negatively affect your grade, please try to stay within the range.
1. Summarize the major points made by the article listed below. In your response, be certain to describe the two distinct threats being faced by American democracy. Discuss what is meant by the “curse of geographic sorting” that has resulted in a ‘disconnect between public opinion and election results.” Indicate what solutions might lessen the problems identified in the article. (approximately 150-200 words).
“‘A Crisis Coming’: The Twin Threats to American Democracy,” New York Times by David Leonhardt (September 17, 2022).Links to an external site.
2. Indicate the major points raised in the article listed below. The author talks about “intermediaries” that enabled the United States to thrive. Explain specifically what these intermediaries are and the effects they had. What changed the role of intermediaries and what can be done to fix this problem? (approximately 150-200 words)
“America’s Problem Isn’t Too Little Democracy. It’s Too Much,” POLITICO Magazine by Joshua Geltzer (June 26, 2018).Links to an external site.
3. Describe the basic thesis of the book, Democracy for Realists (by Christopher Achen and Larry Bartels) that is discussed in the article listed below. In your response, be certain to indicate why democracy in the United States does not work the way many people wished that it did. What do the authors indicate should be done to make it work better? (approximately 150-200 words)
“Two Eminent Political Scientists: The Problem with Democracy is Voters,” Vox.com by Sean Illing (June 24, 2017).Links to an external site.
Be careful not to plagiarize. If you want to quote directly, do so using quotation marks (giving the page number if available). But try to do this sparingly and simply use your own words in addressing the questions.
When you are done, save the document as a Word file or as an Adobe PDF file (it cannot be Google docs, etc.) and upload it through Canvas (these parts are very important!). Papers not uploaded in the proper format by the deadline are subject to a grade penalty.
