Identify a major issue or problem in American politics today.

Your paper should 1) identify a major issue or problem in American politics today; 2) explain why the reader should consider this an issue or problem (in other words: So what? What principles or values or important practices are at stake?); 3) elaborate a reform, bill, or constitutional amendment that might remedy the issue or problem; 4) consider counterarguments and potential downsides to your reform (What principles or values or practices might have to be sacrificed to a degree? What tradeoffs might be required? What potential unintended consequences should we be aware of?). Here is an example based on something we’ve discussed this semester (please do not write on this topic): Selection of members of the House of Representatives “by lot” (by random selection of average citizens, like a jury system) rather than through elections. What is the problem it addresses? Rule of unrepresentative, out-of-touch elites who serve “special interests” rather than “the people.” Why is the current system a problem? It is a threat to equality and leads to an oligarchy rather than a democracy wherein a wide range of demographic groups are underrepresented or overrepresented and we come to view the political system as illegitimate and corrupt. What is the reform? Selection by lot rather than election. What are counterarguments? This should probably be the longest section of your paper. My formulation raises questions about different models of representation, which would have to be considered. It raises the loaded terms of “special interests” and “the people,” which should be considered. It disregards the notion that having “elites” in power may actually be a good thing – like having an “elite” mechanic fix your car rather than some random friend. It discounts the importance of being able to hold representatives accountable. And people don’t actually seem to want such a system of election, nor to serve if called. All of these topics are covered in the various chapters of the textbook, and we’ve discussed them in class. You would carefully consider such counterarguments to your chosen reform, wrestle with the challenges they present, and offer possible responses (perhaps a two-house congressional system where one is filled with elect representative and the other with common people; perhaps some system of accountability by recall; perhaps a system of training and education for selected representatives prior to service).