In recent decades, political action committee (PAC) contributions ...

[penza]

In recent decades, political action committee (PAC) contributions have become increasingly important in federal elections.
 
  In light of the influence of PAC money on elections and policymaking, is this trend a sign of a healthy democracy, or is it a troubling development?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

James Madison expressed concerns about what he called factions. Are there modern-day factionsthat pursue their self-interest at the expense of the broader public interest?
 
  Evaluate whether interest groups function in the public interest as pluralists might argue or work against the public interest.
  What will be an ideal response?

[todom5090]

Answer to Question 1

An ideal response will:
1. Explain what a PAC is: an organization that collects contributions from multiple individuals affiliated with an interest and distributes them to political candidates.
2. Provide examples of specific PACs.
3. Explain and evaluate some of the implications of PACs for elections, including the fact that most congressional candidates depend on PAC money to get elected and the fact that PACs contribute disproportionately to incumbents and that corporate PACs contribute disproportionately to Republicans.
4. Discuss and evaluate the influence of PACs on policymaking, including the fact that PACs gain access to elected officials but are not guaranteed influence.
5. Articulate a position regarding whether PACs are good or bad for democratic governance, based on the influence of PACs on elections and policymaking.

Answer to Question 2

An ideal response will:
1. Explain Madison's views about factions, which he defined as groups pursuing their self-interest at the expense of the broader public good.
2. Evaluate the extent to which today's interest groups are the sort of factions that Madison warned about. Do trade associations and labor unions pursue their self-interest at the expense of society as a whole?
3. Evaluate whether interest groups harm or hurt the public interest. Should we be concerned about modern-day factions, or should we celebrate interest group activity along with the pluralists?