Write a reflective response (4-5 sentences each) to each of the three prompts below.
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?
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?
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?
To add your reply, click "add a new discussion topic," type your response to each of the questions, and then make sure to click "post to forum." Then, check out some of your fellow classmate's responses and make sure to reply (as discussed in the syllabus) to at least two of your classmates' responses before 7/2 at 11:59pm.
2. Fiorina does not believe today's parties are able to govern effectively due to the split in ideas between citizens and their parties. I believe that this has become an increasing issue, much like how the article "Why Political Parties Never Die", is not only a split in America between Democrats and Republicans but there have even been divides within those parties. For example, if someone is not far left or far right, they have typically deemed outcasts or unloyal to their party or a traitor. The divide between politics in America makes it difficult for anyone to govern effectively, for a large portion of citizens will not support their choices or decisions. I feel like citizens of America should learn how their ideas or their party can affect others rather than just seeing how it will affect them the least. Most of the time, when people vote for someone they do it depending on their own personal needs, but do not look out for the others in society in how a certain government official can be life-changing for them.
3. In the article, Masket explains how loyal and durable our political system is, making it impossible for them to die. He explains how people's loyalty to their party does not change, even if they are "winning" by having more members of their party in office or if they are "losing" by having fewer of their people in the office. I agree with this idea, for we have become a two-party system that makes others believe that voting for a third party is "a waste of a vote". We have diminished the trust in our system for people who share our ideas are able to win in this divided nation. I believe that people stick with the political party that they are raised with until they become more open-minded to the ideas of the other side. People are so firmly planted in their political party that doesn't even care for what any of the nominees have to say or stand for. We can see this during elections when you can choose on your ballot to vote for all Republican or all Democratic nominees in one bubble rather than voting for each person based on their values or platforms.