Identify and discuss our preferred course definition of politics and then apply it to two specific real-world examples (can be current or past events). Please make sure you explain how politics is illustrated in  each  example.  In  addition,  discuss  what  you  think  is  the  most  important  thing  for  someone  to remember about politics. 2.    It is not lost on many that politics is full of conflict. However, understanding how and why political conflicts arise can be difficult. To help us make sense of conflict in the United States we looked at four major sources. Please identify the “source” of conflict with the appropriate example below and explain why it fits best. You should use each source only once! a.    Kim Davis, a county clerk in Alabama, refuses to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. She claims the United States has always been a Christian nation and the Bible does not condone such behavior. Her arguments and actions are countered by a group of protestors who claim the United States has always been the land of the free and that freedom includes the right to choose who one will marry. What is the source of their conflict?    b.   Two friends argue over approaches to health care in a coffee shop. They both agree that access to affordable health care is key but disagree about how to go about doing so. One argues that the best way to provide people with access to affordable health coverage is for the government to get out of the way and allow capitalism to provide it on the free market. The other argues that some people will not be able to purchase their own health care on the “free market” and that the government needs to do more to help those who cannot afford it. What is the source of conflict between these two friends?    c.    A flurry of high-profile sexual assault cases has given rise to the MeToo movement. As a result, we have also seen a noticeable increase in the number of female candidates running for public office. Many of these female candidates point to problems such as gender discrimination and sexual  harassment  as  the  reason  why  they  are  running  for  office  and  have  made  addressing these issues a big part of their campaigns. What source of conflict can be seen as motivating many of these female candidates?     d.   Alexis has always thought of herself as a Democrat but has recently become frustrated with Governor Jerry Brown (a Democrat). Her friends who attend school in Arizona pay a dollar less  per  gallon  of  gas.  As  a  struggling  student,  she  sees  this  as  unfair  and  has  become  even more upset because Governor Brown wants to raise taxes on gas again. While she disagrees with  Republicans  on  almost  everything,  she  is  strongly  considering  voting  for  John  Cox  (a Republican running for governor) in November because he has promised to repeal the gas tax. What is the source of Alexis’ frustration with Democrats in California?
3.    The Constitution was not created by some random stroke of genius. Instead, it was shaped by practical individuals who were influenced by two important traditions of political thought. What are those two traditions, what did the framers take from them, and how does the Constitution reflect both in its make-up?4.    Should  judges  who  serve  on  the  Court  take  an  originalist  or  living  constitutionalist  (evolutionist) approach to constitutional interpretation? In answering this question, make sure to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each approach and explain why you believe the strengths of your preferred approach outweigh the weaknesses. Finally, explain how a judge who uses your approach might determine the constitutionality of laws that prohibit gays and lesbians from getting married.    5.    Federalism,  as  we  have  discussed,  is  a  system  of  shared  powers  between  two  or  more  levels  of government.  In  the  U.S.,  that  sharing  takes  place  between  the  federal  government  and  states. Demonstrate the nature of our federalist system by discussing granted, reserved, and shared/concurrent powers.  Please  use  examples  for  each  and  identify  the  sections  or  clauses  in  the  Constitution  from where these powers are derived.  6.    There is a balancing act in our federal system between the power of the national government and state governments. Where do you think the line should be drawn when it comes to the issue of immigration and  recreational  marijuana  (you  only  need  to  address  one)?  Should  the  federal  government  play  a greater role or should states have more say? Choose a side and then explain some of the advantages and disadvantages of your position.  7.    What are civil liberties and civil rights and how do they affect your relationship with government and society? In answering this question, refer to two specific civil liberties and two civil rights. In addition, reflect on how your life might change if they weren’t there?8.    The liberties granted to us by the Constitution are not without limits and it is the role of the Court to decide where to draw the line. Identify two freedoms granted to you under the First Amendment and discuss where the Court has ruled that limitations apply. Be sure to refer to any “tests” or “standards” the  Court  has  adopted  to  clarify  the  boundaries  between  your  liberties  and  legitimate  government restrictions. Please be specific.  9.    Civil rights and civil liberties can at times come into conflict with each other. If you don’t believe me, consider the following real-world example. A gay couple living in Colorado goes to a cake baker and requests that he make them a cake for their wedding. The cake baker refuses, citing his religious beliefs (protected by  the  First  Amendment).  However,  the  state  of  Colorado  has  a  law  prohibiting businesses  from  discriminating  against  their  customers  based  on  sexual  orientation (clearly a civil rights protection). It is worth noting that this case takes place in a public place  of  business  and  not  the  privacy  of  one’s  own  home.  The  cake  baker  does, however, own the business.
In the example cited above, the cake baker’s religious beliefs appear to discriminate against this gay couple. If you were a judge serving on the Supreme Court, how would you rule? There is not a  clear  answer  to  this  question,  so  please  be  thoughtful  with  your  response  and  detailed  in  your explanation. Use course materials to support your insights. Note, the Court has already decided this case, but I would prefer it if you reasoned through the case on your own!10.  Public opinion has many different sources, but in this course, we have focused on four specific sources. Identify each of those sources and apply them to the polling results you see below. Which source best explains  people’s  views  in  each  graph?  In  addition,  which  source  do  you  feel  is  most  important  in shaping a person’s opinions?
11.  Suppose you are chatting with a friend and the topic of a recent poll of the president’s job approval comes up. She claims, “No one should pay attention to polls because they are always wrong.” Correct the  error  in  her  logic  by  discussing  the  difference  between  good  and  bad  polling  and  the  built-in challenges that even the best pollsters face. Then rephrase her statement in a way that more accurately reflects the way we should think about polls done by reputable polling organizations. 12.  Many Americans express frustration with our political parties. As we have learned, that frustration has been  with  us  since  the  beginning  of  this  country.  However,  most  Americans  fail  to  recognize  the importance  of  political  parties.  In  the  following  response,  please  explain  why  political  parties  are necessary to a democratic society. In answering this question, discuss what our politics might look like in the United States without them.