ocelot Republic Governance Commission Report
Final Exam, American Political System (POL 241)
Due Date: May 13, 2020 at 11:59 PM
Scenario: You are an expert on forms of government and have been hired as a consultant by the newly formed Ocelot Republic. This newly independent nation consists of a chain of 33 islands in the Pacific Ocean which has decided to form a federal government similar to the United States with each island having a status comparable to that of an American state. The new nation is diverse in terms of ethnicity, urbanization, religion, geography, economic interests, and income distribution in ways remarkably similar to the United States.
Prepare a report for the Ocelot Republic Governance Commission in which you describe the advantages and disadvantages of US governance systems plus your recommendation regarding the adoption of these measures. Feel free to advise adoption or rejection of parts of the US system and to offer other options.
Choose two (2) of the first three questions. Response to Question 4 is required.
- The Ocelot Republic has decided to adopt a legislative system that includes a Congress with seats allocated in proportion to the population of the particular island-state. A major question has emerged of whether the new nation should copy the US by adopting single districts with the election of representatives decided by a plurality vote on a winner-take-all basis? Supporters argue this will foster the development of a broad-based two-party system that will encourage moderation and compromise. Opponents reply this approach invites gerrymandering while discouraging voter turnout by leaving many without a voice in governance as few of the elections will actually be competitive.
Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the US system (single-districts with plurality voting and winner-take-all) for the Ocelot Republic Governance Commission plus your recommendation (35 points).
- Should the Ocelot Republic Constitution include a presentment clause comparable to that of the US Constitution which requires the President to sign or veto a piece of legislation in its entirety? Proponents argue that the “take it or leave it” approach is a needed constraint on Presidential power. Opponents call for granting the President line-item veto power as this allow the President to remove wasteful “pork barrel” expenditures. What do you recommend and why (35 points)?
- Should the Ocelot Republic follow the US model of allowing the President to nominate judges subject to Senate confirmation followed by lifetime terms of office? Proponents argue this fosters judicial independence while allowing political input in selecting the justices. Opponents reply that the US approach generates politicized appointment and confirmation procedures with no guarantee of legal expertise. The proposed alternatives include popular election of justices, appointment by an expert commission, or a hybrid approach such as the Missouri Plan. Which approach do you recommend and explain your rationale (35 points)?
- (required) A major concern for the bureaucracy of the new nation is protecting whistleblowers who expose malfeasance from retaliation by political officials. How will you identify whistleblowers so that exposure of wrongdoing by superiors is not dismissed as troublemaking followed by adverse action such as demotion or termination? What procedures will be in place to protect an employee who meets the criteria of a whistleblower from retaliation (30 points)?
