URGENT: Please help me with this AP gov free response question

Question

Which of the three models of democracy - participatory, pluralist, or elite - best represents the United States today? In your response make sure that you: 1. Articulate a defensible claim/thesis that establishes a line of reasoning. 2. Use one of the following required documents as evidence to help support your claim. Federalist #10, Brutus No. 1, The Declaration of Independence

Answer 1

Thesis (Claim):

The elite model of democracy best represents the United States today because political influence is disproportionately concentrated among wealthy individuals, organized interest groups, and political elites rather than the average citizen.

Evidence + Reasoning (Using Federalist No. 10):

In Federalist No. 10, Madison argues that factions are inevitable in a large republic and that the system will filter public opinion through elected representatives. While Madison believed this structure would prevent majority tyranny, it also creates distance between the public and policymaking. Today, that filtering process often amplifies the influence of political and economic elites rather than average citizens.

Modern examples reinforce this reality. Campaign finance systems—especially after Citizens United v. FEC—allow corporations, PACs, and wealthy donors to spend heavily in elections. Lobbying organizations and Super PACs often shape policy outcomes more effectively than individual voters. Research such as the Gilens and Page study suggests that policy outcomes align more closely with elite preferences than with average citizens’ views.

Line of Reasoning+Counter:

Although the United States retains participatory elements such as voting, grassroots activism, and social movements, policy influence tends to flow through organized interest groups and political elites. The structure Madison described has evolved into a system where access and resources determine influence. Therefore, while pluralist and participatory elements exist, the elite model most accurately reflects how power operates in practice today.

Answer 2

This is a great example of the type of question you can expect to see on future AP exams because there is no single correct answer. Rather, your response will be graded on the basis of the two points that you list in your prompt. Thus, all you have to do is select one of the three models of democracy, demonstrate that you understand the tenets of your chosen model by explaining what it is and how it characterizes the United States, and refer to your chosen document for support. If you are having difficulty with any of these steps, then you should schedule a tutorial.