Study Questions

  1. Is diverse representation based constituency demographics in Congress important? Are Congressmen better in their representative roles when they have racial, religious, or educational backgrounds that match their constituency? Are there other factors that may come into play in terms of ideal representation?
  2. Congressmen may communicate to their constituents via U.S. mail, social media, news media, or in person events. Which means maybe more helpful to the constituent? To the Congressman?
  3. In the checks and balances scheme, the President is Commander-in-Chief whereas Congress holds the purse strings. Why the President better at conducting foreign policy than Congress? Why is congressional oversight necessary for good foreign policy?
  4. Congress has two major duties – representation and lawmaking. How do these duties support each other? How might they conflict with each other? Is one more important than the other?