Assess the utility of the party platform in drawing party support ...

[DyllonKazuo]

Assess the utility of the party platform in drawing party support and to what extent politicians are held accountable to it.
 
  Answer:

Question 2

The national party convention serves several purposes. Examine its functions, assessing the importance of each. How has electoral participation, through political parties, changed over time? How has the convention process affected American democracy?
 
  Answer:

[samiel-sayed]

Answer to Question 1

An ideal response will:
1. Define the platform as a rather vague document based on broad principles rather than specific policies.
2. Explain how the document is drafted at the national convention.
3. Note that there is little accountability by the politician regarding the platform, due to a lack of party enforcement.

Answer to Question 2

An ideal response will:
1. Describe the national convention as a forum for selecting the party platform and the presidential nominee every four years.
2. Explain the importance of the party platform to the functioning of the party and offer a critique. (For instance, students may argue that a party platform has little real substance; that it is a general guide containing no specific policy preferences to give the party the flexibility to compromise with the opposing party and to limit accountability among the voting base. They may also note that failures of party discipline often affect the utility of the party platform.)
3. Evaluate changes that have altered electoral participation, particularly Progressive reforms.
4. Assess the role of the party convention in promoting democracy.
5. Offer a concise summary and effective conclusion.