San Jose State University US System of Governance Questions 1) In what ways is formal political power in the United States distributed and checked? What is
San Jose State University US System of Governance Questions 1) In what ways is formal political power in the United States distributed and checked? What is the
role of federalism and the system of “checks and balances” in this scheme? Is this system working in
your opinion or is it often producing stalemate and inefficient governance? Why and how? 2) Is American judiciary a conservative or a progressive institution? How and why? 3) Is the U.S. a democracy of the wealthy or do you think poor and rich are equally represented in
this political system? How and why? 4) Did the framers go far by dispersing power in the U.S. system of governance that eventually
ended up in an inefficient and dysfunctional regime or do you think this was necessary to preserve
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democracy and prevent tyranny? With the expansion of the presidential powers over the last century do
you think the U.S. is getting closer to an autocracy than ever before? Why or why not? 5) When do you think we can start the first day of democracy in the U.S., given the divisions and
controversies based on race, gender, and class? Provide reasons and discuss the arguments of each side
of this debate.
