2003 FRQ Help

Here is some help with tonite's FRQ. Do Not Copy Word for Word, but use as a guide...


1. Citizens often choose to participate in the political process in ways other than voting.
(a) Identify two forms of participation in the political process other than voting.
(b) Explain two advantages of each form of participation you identified in (a).


2003 FRQ on Political Participation


A1. One form of participation in the political process other than voting is litigation.


A2. Another form of participation in the political process other than voting is protest.


B1. One advantage of litigation is that when a judge decides a case, he or she does not require the numerical majority that is required of voting. A judge’s decision is often a unilateral one which can have a lasting political impact.


B2. Another advantage of litigation is that the courts appeal to principles of law as opposed to simple personal opinion. Judicial decisions rely upon such factors as constitutional review, previous case law and other objective criteria which helps to settle a question that may have a political outcome (ie. Bush v. Gore, 2000).


B3. One advantage of protest is that it can amplify public attention onto a matter, particularly when the media gets involved in covering a protest event.


B4. Another advantage of protest is that it is relatively a low cost form of participation. Painting signs and marching do not cost millions of dollars as compared to funding a major political event. Protesting a political issue can bring attention to event without the necessary expense that other forms
of political participation often require.