Progressive era reforms

    Write a brief, 1-2 page, double-spaced essay responding to the following prompt: One of the major developments in American politics was the durable shift of authority away from party organizations. As a result of various progressive era reforms, access to the ballot was no longer decided by party elites, but by primary electorates and the choices of would-be candidates. Was this shift from a party-centered politics to a candidate-centered politics good for democratic representation? In your answer, be sure to take a strong side, arguing the shift was good for democracy, or bad for democracy (do not say good and bad, pick one!). Papers should be narrow in focus, and should focus on thoroughly explaining (1) change that occurred between these two eras, and why this change produced good or bad effects.