Simulation II: Elections, legislatures, and representation.
Due in class on Wednesday after Thanksgiving.

Over the last week you have experienced two different forms of election and watched as two different kinds of legislatures enacted their will.  In your writeup on the simulation you should consider the following points:

• How were the electoral processes similar and different? 

  • Does one require a different sort of campaign than the other?

  • Does one treat minority views differently?  How, and to what effect?

  • Cite some advantages and disadvantages of each electoral system.

• How are the two legislatures different and how are they similar?

  • How much did each legislature "resemble" the electorate (the class) in terms of the views represented?

    • If one is more representative than the other, discuss why this might be the case, and consider whether that is a peculiarity of this class and election, or whether there is a general principle involved.

  • Was one more efficient at passing legislation?  Why?

  • Was one more orderly in deliberation?

• Again comparing the legislatures to the electorate (class survey), what generalizations can you make about how the preferences of the electorate are affected by the electoral process itself.

• And, comparing the single member district legislature (Congress) with the multi-member district legislature (Parliament), consider the following:

  • Which is more likely to minimize internal dissent within the body?  Why?

  • Which electoral system is easier to manipulate to yield a desired result?  Why?

  • Which body is most likely to produce stable or consistent policies over time?  Why?

   

Your written work should be 3-5 pages is due in class on Wednesday, 1 December 2004.  Papers not received in class will be penalized 10 points, plus ten additional points for each addition day late (or fraction thereof).