Give an overview of the key phases of political party development ...

[Themember4]

Give an overview of the key phases of political party development in the United States.
 
  How did the framers envision electoral participation in government? How has this been realized? Be certain to demonstrate where realignments have occurred and the reasons why. Evaluate in detail what dealignment entails, and describe why it has occurred.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

One responsibility of Congress is oversight of the executive branch. What is oversight? Why is Congress doing less oversight today that it has in the past?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[wuly]

Answer to Question 1

An ideal response will:
1, Provide an outline of the various phases of political party development.
2, Explain how the framers warned of the dangers that parties presented but how parties developed despite this warning.
3, Describe the various coalition changes and the events that precipitated each.
4, Evaluate the dealignment following the Nixon administration, providing reasons why it occurred.
5, Provide a concise and effective conclusion.

Answer to Question 2

An ideal response will:
1, Explain that oversight involves monitoring how the executive branch carries out the provisions of the laws that Congress has passed and investigating possible abuses of power by executive branch officials, including the president.
2, Explain that oversight is primarily the province of the committees and subcommittees of Congress and is among Congress's most visible and dramatic roles, guided by the wishes of House and Senate leaders and the majority party caucus in each.
3, Note that in today's highly partisan times, whether oversight hearings take place and the relative vigor with which they are carried out depends increasingly on which party controls which branch of government.
4, Note that overall, the number of committee hearings has declined dramatically since 1980, probably because committee chairs have less power now, with less independence from the leadership on what they may do in committee. May mention that members now also spend more time raising money for their reelection campaigns.