Write a five-page paper, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font, on one of the
following three questions:
1. Does the national government have too much power. Should more governing
responsibility be given to the states? Or, is the balance between the states and nation
about right? In your response, you may want to consider how federalism has developed
over time, the theoretical reasons for having states in the first place, and/or contemporary
examples where the relationship between the states and nation are appropriate or
imbalanced.
2. Is Publius’ project of creating an extended, large republic still a success? Does the United
States have a system that contains the worst excesses of factionalism, or does
factionalism run rampant and threaten self-governance? What, if anything, did the AntiFederalists
get right in their critique of the Federalists’ design?
3. Thomas Jefferson argued: “No society can make a perpetual constitution, or even a
perpetual law. The earth belongs always to the living generation. Every constitution
then, and even every law, naturally expires at the end of 19 years.” Would it be a good
idea to reconsider and perhaps re-write the American Constitution every 19 years or so,
as Thomas Jefferson suggested? If so, why? If not, why not?
The paper is due on Friday, October 5th at 5:00 p.m. You must submit your assignment via
Collab. TAs may request hard copies. Your grade will be reduced by two points every day (1/3
letter grade) that your paper is late (Sundays are free.) You are responsible for saving your work
and backing up your files. Computer failures are not warranted excuses in this age of USB
devices, external hard drives, the Cloud, and Dropbox (free!). Include both your last name and
page number in the footer of each page. Paper titles are not required, but encouraged.
All essays, regardless of topic, should extensively draw on arguments, ideas, and terms we
have discussed in lecture and from the readings found on the syllabus. Of course, you are
welcome to bring in other textual evidence to support your position, although it is not
required. Make sure, however, that the argument you present is your own and that it does not
simply restate, but builds off of, positions that you have read in the textbook or have heard in
lecture/section. In sum, this assignment is an opportunity for you to demonstrate a firm
command of a wide range of reading and lecture material, and apply your knowledge in
making an argument about American politics.