Department
of Politics and Society
University of California, Irvine
Spring 1996
WHAT IS TO BE DONE?
REFORMING AMERICAN POLITICS
If there is anything which people seem to agree upon these days, it is that
American politics is in dire need of reform. But what does reform mean? What
aspects of our politics and society most need reform? Are there possible unintended
and undesirable consequences that reforms might bring? Which reforms make the
most sense? Some of the specific areas for possible reform that we will study
in this course include: the constitutional separation of powers and others aspects
of the U.S. Constitution; the effects of individualism in American culture;
problems of citizen participation; the apparent trivialization of the electoral
process; the privileged role of business in the political system; growing economic
and social inequality; and the rise of the national security state. By the end
of the course you will have a much better understanding of some of the areas
where reform may be needed, and you will also have developed your own diagnosis
and reform proposal in a particular problem area.
Required Texts:
William E. Hudson, American Democracy in Peril
James R. Sundquist, Constitutional Reform and Effective Government
Course Reader (available for purchase at the university bookstore).
SCHEDULE OF LECTURES AND READING
1. What Does Reform Mean? Is It Always a Desirable Object?
2. What is Democracy?
Hudson, Chapter 1.
3. Do We Need To Revise the Constitution?
Hudson, Chapter 2; Sundquist, entire book; Course Reader: Sargentich, Weaver,
Ceaser, Hahn. Plus, you should find a copy of the Constitution somewhere (in
the back of any U.S. government textbook, for example), and read or review it.
4. Are Americans Too Individualistic?
Hudson, Chapter 3.
5. Do We Need More Citizen Participation?
Hudson, Chapter 4.
6. Have Our Elections Become Trivialized?
Hudson, Chapter 5; Course Reader: Banfield.
7. Does Business Have a Privileged Position in Society and Politics?
Hudson, Chapter 6.
8. Does Increasing Social Inequality Threaten Democracy?
Hudson, Chapter 7.
9. What Role for the National Security Apparatus?
Hudson, Chapter 8.
10. Conclusion: What Are the Prospects for Reform?
Hudson, Chapter 9.