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?
-Morris Fiorina discusses how today's parties are much more like the paradigm of the responsible party than were the parties in the 1970s. In Principles, Fiorina explores how politics have evolved over time, becoming less responsible as Americans increasingly vote to split power of the government. Fiorina argues that a responsible party is one that entrusts leadership of the country to one cohesive partyTo be a party responsible means to have someone or a group of individuals represent you and make choices for you. This individual has the power to make judgments and conduct actions that are based on the group's or business's welfare. Typically, this is an organization or individual you can put your faith in.
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 believes that because the political stakes have been heightened, parties today are unable to govern effectively or responsibly. More friction and higher stakes for winning and losing result from this. Additionally, the parties of today have had less success prioritizing governing over campaigning.They will continue to market it whether they keep their promises or not. Politicians, in my opinion, are ineffective because they don't always tell the truth about what they're saying. Government authorities believe they are too powerful and are not attentive to the demands of the people. Instead of just doing what sounds right, they need to start paying attention and truly announce what they are going to do.
3. Why don’t parties die? As Masket points out, we haven’t 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?
- Parties persist, in my opinion, in large part because it is far simpler to alter an existing party than to attempt to found a brand-new one. It would be quite difficult to launch a new political party that would defeat an established party since, as was previously noted, our political structure does not truly allow for a third party. Many of the topics that the political parties address can only have one of two opposing solutions, giving voters just two choices. People's affection and allegiance for their own sides has allowed Republicans and Democrats to endure for so long. They invest so much of their ideas, opinions, and convictions in it that it continues. That also contributes to their ability to continue funding the parties and campaigns.