PPLE353

This course explores the uneasy position of political parties in a constitutional system designed in part to thwart majority action and asks, to what extent do American political parties and elections enhance or obstruct democratic control of government? Topics include: The Founders views of political faction and the development of a party system; the historical exclusion of women and African-Americans from party politics; and the role of parties today in shaping and governing political conflict. Finally, the course analyzes a variety of reform proposals from alternative citizen organizations to calls for proportional representation.

Fall Semester