1. Morris Fiorina spends much of his essay discussing whether or not parties are “responsible.” What does he mean by “responsible parties?” What is responsible party theory? And, in your own definition, what does it mean for a party to be responsible? The meaning of “responsible parties” or the responsible party theory is that the individual or entity who manages or directs or controls the entity has access to the funds provided by such entity. What it means for a party to be responsible is someone or a group of people that are responsible to represent and make decisions. This person has the authority to take actions and decisions based on the well-being of the group or company. This is usually a very trusted person or group.
2. Why does Fiorina think that the parties today are unable to govern effectively (or, responsibly) and in your opinion, why aren’t parties today able to govern effectively? How might parties change to begin to govern more effectively? Fiorina thinks that parties today are unable to govern effectively because they are too stuck in their own beliefs and not optimistic. Also, the parties are not maximizing their votes and going based on the majority. The last one she thought was that any politician is just going to tell the public what they want to hear. Even if they follow through with the promises or not, they are still going to advertise it. In my opinion, Politicians are not truthful with everything they say and that is why they’re not effective. Government power thinks they are too strong and not listening to the public’s needs. They need to start listening and actually advertise what they are going to do instead of what sounds right.
3. Why don’t parties die? As Masket points out, we haven’t had a new major party in 160 years, since the Civil War. He offers a number of reasons why parties don’t die. What are some of those, and do you agree with him? Can you come up with some other plausible reasons as to why the Republicans and Democrats have lasted for so long? Masket points out that “Parties are able to survive a variety of reforms designed to weaken or even kill them. They’ve adapted to campaign finance reforms that deprived them of funds, and they’ve even reemerged after being banned from state legislatures.” I agree with him. Members of each party will ride their sides til the end. They will fight over whatever just to prove their side is right even when it's not. Republicans and Democrats have lasted so long because of people’s love and loyalty to their sides. They put so much of their thoughts, views, and beliefs into that it keeps it going. That also helps the funds that they have to keep the parties and campaigning going.