Reflection Questions

INSTRUCTIONS: You are to answer choose and answer one question for each of the four chapters below. Only one question is needed per section and you replace the red text with your answer, leaving the bold text as-is. Once all four sections are complete, check your assignment for grammar, spelling, and plagiarism (incorrect or absent page numbers, insufficient paraphrasing or unnecessary quoting, as these will lower your score).  Each answer is worth 25 points and you may use the provided rubric to assess your own answers. Make sure to answer every part of the question in order for your answer to be considered complete and eligible for points. Once you are satisfied with your work, this assignment (like all assignments) is submitted via Canvas only, not emailed.

1. Choose one of the below questions on Chapter 9 (Cammisa, pp. 127-131)
2. How does Cammisa say governments qualify as interest groups? What kind of interest group (i.e. how do they differ from other interest groups)? Do you agree or disagree? Why?
3. Cammisa gives the historical development of governments as interest groups by Haider, 1974, picking up where his work left off. What was his contribution? How did Cammisa add to it? Finally, Cammisa’s work is now twenty-five years old- how might her work need updating as well? Explain why you think that.
4. Choose one of the below questions on Chapter 10, (Bowman, pp. 132-142 or 34-40 in PDF):
5. What are two examples of interstate cooperation that Bowman discusses? Explain how they work/what they do and why they help the states that employ them. Do you agree with Bowman that these represent a “win-win”? Why or why not?
6. Some people may think that competition inspires progress by compelling actors to do their best to supersede a rival and reason that cooperation allows actors to slack off and free-ride on other parties rather than doing their utmost. Why does Bowman think competition is less beneficial than cooperation? Give one example from her article. Do you agree with Bowman? Why or why not? Give an example of cooperation and explain why you think it is superior to competition. If you disagree, give an example of competition and how/why you think it is better for states than cooperation.

Indicate the number of the question you chose and type your argument here.

• Choose one of the below questions on Chapter 11, (Holeywell, pp. 143-147 or 1-4 in PDF):

5. What is the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs? What does it do and for whom according to Holeywell’s essay? Do you think it could do more? If so, what? If no, how might it improve at what it already does?
6. What evidence does Holeywell give of the importance of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs? What about effectiveness? Do you think the office can be important if it is not very effective? Why or why not?

Indicate the number of the question you chose and type your argument here.

1. Choose one of the below questions on Chapter 13, (DeWitt et al., pp. 160-170 or iii-10 in PDF):
2. Explain what “federal preemption” is. Are the authors in favor of it or opposed to it? Give at least three reasons they give for their position. Do you think the recommendations they offer (give three) will improve government functioning? Why or why not?
3. Define “federal preemption” and play devil’s advocate. Make a case for how the federal government imposing programs to standardize and promote equity across states could be a good thing for citizens and our nation as a whole? Consider programs like “No Child Left Behind” or the Amber Alert system and give an example like those of a preemption and why you think it is beneficial.