Pol Sci 942:173g Public Policy Process

Paper Assignment 1

Write a paper on the importance of individual citizens in the policy process.  There are three parts to the assignment.

How can individuals participate in the policy process at the national level? Is this participation important, or are there other, better, ways that citizens can participate in the process (e.g. by joining interest groups)?  Explain your reasoning.

Some states use mechanisms like the referendum or the initiative to increase the role that individuals play in the policy process.  This is sometimes known as "direct democracy".  Other local governments use "deliberative democracy" mechanisms, such as a town meeting to allow individuals to influence policy making.  Discuss how these mechanisms work, as well as their pros and cons.  Offer your position on the value of direct and deliberative democracy, and defend it.

Discuss whether those mechanisms could function at the national level.  If they could not, discuss other ways that individuals might hold decision makers accountable in the policy process.

The paper should be about 8 pages long, double spaced, with normal one-inch margins.  It is due at the start of class on October 5.

Graduate Students: Your paper should be informed by scholarly literature on the subject.