I just bought a '98 Camaro a few days ago and already have to take it into the shop.  They told me they need to replace the master clutch and slave cylinder part.  What makes that part go bad and in need of replacement?  I am wondering because I want to know if I could have done it myself within in the one day I owned it before it happened or what did the previous owner have to do to ruin it?  Is it my fault or not?  

with out knowing the symptoms of the problem, it is hard to tell you, but, there is normal wear that ocurrs from seals failing, fluid contaminated and such. but you could not have broke it in one day, it takes a while.

if you do not know much about master/slave operation...think of a hydralic jack.