Examine the reasons that the U.S. government has grown to its current size.

What will be an ideal response?

Students can discuss growth because of the changes in the United States in terms of size of the nation and population. They can also address the increasing complexity that has caused government growth, the rise in the amount of regulation of business and the public’s acceptance of this phenomenon, the growth of the government’s role in social welfare programs, and the role of the United States in the world as a superpower. Finally, some growth is a direct result of citizens asking for a larger government role.