Category: Political science

Hi, this is an assignment for my grade 12 “Canadian and International Politics” class. There is different questions that need to be answered. I hope I can seek help. 

This assignment is comprised of 2 parts, the first of which is due this week. Part II will be due in Week 7.
In Part I this week, choose a Federal Supreme Court case that originated in your state that involves civil rights or civil liberties that was heard by the United States Supreme Court, and a decision was rendered. If your state does not have a case that was decided by the United States Supreme Court, choose a civil rights case from another state for which the United States Supreme Court issued a decision.
Here is a brief description of civil rights and civil liberties: Civil rights refers to equal social opportunities under the law. It gives you these freedoms, such as the right to vote, the right to public education, or a fair trial, among other things, regardless of your wealth or race. Civil liberties mean freedom of religion, equal treatment and due process under the law, and the right to privacy.
You should be able to go online and look up your state and famous cases decided by the Supreme Court. For example, Brown v Board of Education (1951) started in Topeka, Kansas, and ended up in the Supreme Court of the United States. Another example would be Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley v Steve Sisolak, Governor of Nevada (2020), which started in Nevada and ended up in the United States Supreme Court. A good source of information about cases decided by the United States Supreme Court is www.scotusblog.com, www.justia.com, or www.oyez.org.
Some other examples of cases include Lau v Nichols, State of Missouri ex. Rel. Gaines v Canada, University of Missouri, Terry v Ohio, Regents of California v Bakke, Michigan v Bay Mills Indian Community, Arizona v California, California v Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, Choctaw Nation v Oklahoma, Ysleta del Sur Pueblo v Texas, Korematsu v United States, Obergefell v Hodges, and Loving v Virginia.
Other sources can be researched online using search terms for “civil rights cases decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.” Be sure to use a case actually decided by the United States Supreme Court, and not a case decided by your state’s supreme court or a different court. A case that is still pending before the United States Supreme Court should not be used. If you are unsure, please contact your Professor BEFORE you pick your case and submit the assignment as this is a significant part of your overall grade.
Research your court case and write an outline of the case that you will be using to prepare a presentation, which will either be a narrated PowerPoint, a Kaltura Video, or some other format as approved by your instructor. If you are unsure, then verify the presentation format with your instructor before starting work on this assignment.
This week’s assignment should include (a) summary of the case; (b) a case outline; and a summary.
Summary of the Case
In one or two paragraphs, provide a general overview of the case that serves as a snapshot of what the case is about and how it ended up in your state high court. A summary is using your words to write a brief history of the case. Do not give your opinion or your interpretation but stick to the facts only.
Case Outline
Your court case outline should include:
Title: Name of the case
Facts of the case: Provide key facts involving the case.
History of the case: What legal action was taken based on what your state laws say about this case?
Legal questions: What were the legal issues the court had to decide?
Decision or holdings: Did the court decide for the plaintiff or the defendant? Explain the reason behind the decision?
Verdict and opinion (judgement): What were the concurring and dissenting opinions? How many judges decided for the defendant and how many justices decided against the defendant? What was the final verdict from the judge or the jury, if it was a jury trial?
Conclusion:
What was the resulting impact of the ruling? How did the citizens of your state benefit from it? Was this a good decision?
Requirements
The length of your outline will vary. Usually an outline is anywhere from 1-3 pages long. Make sure to write full sentences to explain your case. It is a concise list to be used as a reference for you during the presentation.
Using the outline, you will be describing the court case in your presentation and the scenario around the court case. The use of Wikipedia as a primary source of information is to be avoided – it is not a reliable source of information.
Search for an example of a case outline in the Internet. Without going into much detail at this state, each of the items listed above has a subject sentence with 3-6 bullet points that can help you expand on the topic.
For Week 7, you will be creating a narrated PowerPoint, or a video as approved by your instructor, from this week’s outline.
This assignment is worth 200 points.
1-inch margins
Double spaced
12-point Times New Roman font
Title page
References page (minimum of 2 scholarly sources in addition to textbook if cited)

Leo Strauss prefaces his commentary on Xenophon’s Hiero with an abridgment of a passage from Macaulay’s History of England. What sense can you make of this choice of epigraph? This is only a short essay, so you may (but are not required to) limit your response to considerations drawn from Strauss’s introduction to the commentary. In crafting your answer consider not just the lines from Macaulay that Strauss reproduces but Macaulay’s passage as a whole (to which Strauss may be taken to refer us).

Essay question reading of chapter 2, please explain the dimensions of “ideological beliefs in the United States”.

there are 2 questions that you need to write an essay for. The total words for both essays is 1400 words so for example 800 words for one question and 600 for the other.
Question 1:  Have British prime ministers become more powerful in recent decades?
Question 2: Do the media still matter in British politics?
You should not have a bibliography and if you do include quotations you don’t need to reference them.
you’ll find all the readings you need attached and for more info i’ve attached the lectures, you can also do your own readings.

you will read the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and
Thomas Jefferson’s Letter to the Danbury Baptists in 1802. Once you have read these founding
documents and Jefferson’s letter, you will write a 2–3-p.
Instrustions attached.

Hello, I need a political science research essay to answer the following question:
How does civil society produce hegemony in Modern America? It needs to be highly researched with credible theoretical and empiral evidence as per the marking criteria attached. It is a first year undergraduate unit for context. Thank you

Length: 1½-2 pages (not including title page or references page)
1-inch margins
Double spaced
12-point Times New Roman font
Title page
References page (minimum of 2 scholarly sources in addition to textbook if cited)
For this assignment, you will contrast the Federal Bill HR7910 – Protecting Our Kids Act with the Second Amendment of the Bill of Rights, and your state constitution regarding gun control. Write what similarities and differences are present between the three documents. Then, as a healthcare professional, analyze if you think gun reform should take place on the federal or state level or if it should be a congruent (shared) power. For this assignment, you will need to draw from the United States Constitution to clearly understand how powers are separated, as found in Article I Section 8 Clause 18.

Recommended reading list
Burnham, P. et al (2008). Research Methods in Politics.  Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Pierce, R. (2008). Research Methods in Politics: A Practical
Guide, London: Sage.
Silbergh, D (2001). Doing Dissertations in Politics – A Student
Guide. London, Routledge.
1.   
Setting up your dissertation
After thinking about a topic,
then put it to the test.
Imagine that a stranger comes up
and asks “what are you doing for your dissertation?” How would you
frame your answer?
(a)      I’m doing….
(b)      I’m looking at….
(c)      I’m trying to find out whether/to what
extent/how far
(d)      I’m testing the validity of….
If your answer is in (a) or (b)
– think again.  If (c) or (d) then it
suggests you are on the right track.
To guide you in the right direction, it will help if your dissertation
title is a question which you intend to answer.  Titles which are a statement of facts or a general topic
usually will not help you to critically analyse or argue.
Dissertations which are largely descriptive, or have lots of data in
the main body of the work and little in the way of analysis, or are not well
written, will not gain a good mark and could run the risk of not passing.
The organisation of your
dissertation is a matter for consideration with your supervisor.  For example, let us assume that there are to
be three chapters in the work Introduction/Aims
– Main body of the dissertation in three chapters – Conclusion
(a)   Introduction and Aims: 
A good introduction should achieve all of the following:
·        
define the subject and indicate broadly its extent
·        
state clearly the aims of the dissertation
·        
provide background information which the reader will need (this might
include defining technical terms or words which are to be used in a special
sense)
·        
indicate the structure of the dissertation (i.e. the purpose and
content of each chapter);
·        
summarise the main argument(s) you are going to be making
(b)  Main Chapters:  Concentrate on writing one chapter at a
time. 
In each chapter you should:
·       start each chapter on a new
page. Give the chapter a title as well as a number
·       introduce the aims/purpose of
the chapter, summarising its argument
·       draw together conclusions from
the analysis so far
·       Towards the end of each chapter
try to give a pointer towards the next one, thus giving continuity to the
dissertation as a whole.
The dissertation should also
include the following:
·       a literature review. This can be
a separate chapter, or run throughout the main chapters (NB: You may not need having a separate literature review chapter in
the dissertation, which may break up the development of an argument. You should
talk to your supervisor(s) about this.)
·       describe methodology used and
why
·       present the data/evidence
(indicating sources);
·       analyse and evaluate these
data/evidence;
Be wary about the excessive use
of footnotes. These can be helpful if you need to include detail useful for the
reader but not essential to the flow of the argument, but otherwise should be
avoided.
If statistical material is
included ensure that it is presented in the most concise way possible. Simple
numbers are often better dealt with in the text rather than a separate table.
Do not confuse the reader with pages of statistics – supplementary data can be
included in appendices at the end of the dissertation, but the use of these
should be sparing and relevant.
(c)     Conclusion:  This
should be kept reasonably brief and cogent as possible.  It should do all or some of the following:
·       summarise the discussion in the
main sections;
·       summarise the findings and
inferences;
·       make
recommendations/conclusions/predictions based on above;
·       emphasise the significance of
the subject matter;
·       consider the wider implications
of the study
APPENDICES,
where they are used, should be at the end of the dissertation and contain such
things as detailed information e.g. data, descriptions, interviews, survey
details, timetables of events or a detailed argument or exposition about
something in the text.  
They should be
supporting some argument or theme in the text and not just nice to know.  In most cases the reader does NOT have to
read them to follow and understand the main text.  This also applies to footnotes which are
usually shorter and appear either at the foot of the page or the end of the
chapter. They can be a definition, quotation or any other bit of information
needed.
(d)     Acknowledgements –
Here you should acknowledge those who helped you complete your dissertation,
plus any data sources which were specifically made available to you etc.
(e)     An abstract of the
work.  This should provide a synopsis of
the thesis stating the nature and scope of the work undertaken
(i) The purpose of the Abstract is to
provide a summary by the author of what the dissertation is about, what sort of
research backs it up and what findings it makes.  The idea is that it can then be used in publications
listing research work completed, which will enable other workers in the same
Subject to identify what has already been done and to refer to the abstract to
see whether or not they should read the whole dissertation.
(ii)       Therefore, the abstract must provide a
summary of the dissertation, stating (though not necessarily in this order and
without cross-headings):
§  the nature and scope of the work
undertaken
§  the contribution it makes to
knowledge of the subject matter         
§  a brief statement of the
research method used
§  an outline of the main argument
and findings
§  a summary of any conclusions
reached
(iii)   So that it can be readily reproduced the
Abstract must:
§  be on a separate side of paper
§  be typed on single spacing
§  not exceed 300 words
§  have the title and author’s name
as its heading
(iv)      A good abstract is difficult to
produce.  Try to avoid a
chapter-by-chapter summary; and try to give an overall impression of the work,
bearing in mind the purpose of an abstract. 
The abstract has to be taken into account when the dissertation is
marked, so work on it.
(g)     A contents page with
page references to chapters, sections appendices, etc.
(h)     List of figures, tables
and plates (if used) and case and statute list (where used) with figures
and table numbers and page references separate lists for each.
(i)      Main body of
dissertation. This should be sub-divided into logical sections, for
example – introduction, chapters (numbered and titled) and conclusion. Each
chapter should begin on a new page.
(j)      Appendices (where
appropriate). Detailed lengthy tables and other statistics obtained during
the investigation should be given fully at the end, labelled “Appendix
1” etc.
(k)     Bibliography
(l)      Word count
(j)      References
Thorough
referencing of your dissertation is extremely important. It provides evidence
of your research and provides justification for your statements. Both the
Harvard and British Standard system of referencing are acceptable in the
Politics and International Relations Subjects. The important thing is to pick
one and apply it correctly and consistently. It is important to ensure page
numbers are included in your references. 
Be 1.5 spaced and with a
font no smaller than 12pt Times New Roman
Presenting coursework for assessment
Your dissertation must be presented in the following format:
❑     
It must be
word-processed in 12 point Arial font and double-spaced
❑     
All pages must be
numbered
❑     
Margins must be
as follows: Top: 1 inch, Bottom: 1 inch (2.5 cm), Left: 1.25 inches, Right:
1.25 inches (3.2 cm)
Assignment length
The
dissertation should be 9,000 words long (+/-10% word count) exclusive of title page, contents page, acknowledgments, abstract,
appendices, footnotes and bibliography.
The length of an assignment is limited by a set number of words to
contribute towards the development of writing skills and to ensure all work is
assessed equitably. We therefore require you to complete your assignments
within the number of words specified in the assignment brief.  This may be expressed as either a word range
(e.g. 2000-2500 words) or as an indicative limit (e.g. 2000 words).
The word count refers to the main body of the assignment and does not
include front cover, title page, contents page, executive summary, reference
list, bibliography or appendices. The word count does include headings, tables
and in-text citations, but not equations or diagrams. Appendices themselves
will not be marked. However, inappropriate use of appendices will be taken into
consideration when awarding the final mark.
The final word count should be clearly indicated at the end of your
assignment.
Where an indicative limit is expressed in the assignment brief (e.g.
2000 words), a 10% leeway, over or under the specified word limit, is in place.
For example, if an assessment asks for 2000 words then any submission between
1800-2200 words will be deemed acceptable.
Where a word range is expressed, there is no leeway above the maximum
wordage allowed.
Words that exceed the maximum allowed in an assignment brief that
contains either a word range or an indicative limit will not be marked. If in
doubt, you should discuss this with the Module Leader before submission.

Final Exam
Please read the excerpt from the article below published by The Economist, and answer questions # 1 and # 2: 1. (1 paragraph min.) Do the concerns put forward about democracy in the article below reflect the factors identified by Mainwaring & Pérez-Liñán in their article ‘Lessons from Latin America: Democratic Breakdown and Survival’? (Explain with three points of reasoning.)
2. (1 paragraph min.) Which model of democracy would Juan Linz argue is most effective to address these issues within democratic states today, and why? (Explain with three points of reasoning, which directly engage with the concerns expressed in this article.)
What′s gone wrong with democracy. (2014). The Economist, 410 (8876)
Democracy was the most successful political idea of the 20th century. Why has it run into trouble, and what can be done to revive it?
…Faith in democracy flares up in moments of triumph, such as the overthrow of unpopular regimes in Cairo or Kiev, only to sputter out once again. Outside the West, democracy often advances only to collapse. And within the West, democracy has too often become associated with debt and dysfunction at home and overreach abroad. Democracy has always had its critics, but now old doubts are being treated with renewed respect as the weaknesses of democracy in its Western strongholds, and the fragility of its influence elsewhere, have become increasingly apparent. Why has democracy lost its forward momentum?
…THE two main reasons are the financial crisis of 2007-08 and the rise of China. The damage the crisis did was psychological as well as financial. It revealed fundamental weaknesses in the West′s political systems, undermining the self-confidence that had been one of their great assets. Governments had steadily extended entitlements over decades, allowing dangerous levels of debt to develop, and politicians came to believe that they had abolished boom-bust cycles and tamed risk. Many people became disillusioned with the workings of their political systems-particularly when governments bailed out bankers with taxpayers′ money and then stood by impotently as financiers continued to pay themselves huge bonuses. The crisis turned the Washington consensus into a term of reproach across the emerging world.
…in recent years the very institutions that are meant to provide models for new democracies have come to seem outdated and dysfunctional in established ones. The United States has become a byword for gridlock, so obsessed with partisan point-scoring that it has come to the verge of defaulting on its debts twice in the past two years. Its democracy is also corrupted by gerrymandering, the practice of drawing constituency boundaries to entrench the power of incumbents. This encourages extremism, because politicians have to appeal only to the party faithful, and in effect disenfranchises large numbers of voters. And money talks louder than ever in American politics. Thousands of lobbyists (more than 20 for every member of Congress) add to the length and complexity of legislation, the better to smuggle in special privileges. All this creates the impression that American democracy is for sale and that the rich have more power than the poor, even as lobbyists and donors insist that political expenditure is an exercise in free speech. The result is that America′s image-and by extension that of democracy itself-has taken a terrible battering.
3. (1 paragraph min.) Should autocratic elections, based upon the argument put forward by Knutsen, Nygård & Wig (in the article Autocratic Elections: Stabilizing Tool or Force for Change?) be understood as another form of political control? (Explain with three points of reasoning)
4. (1 paragraph min.) Based on the following excerpt below, please answer the following question:
Would a scholar rooted in realism advise the Swedish legislature to support this new defense bill? If so, what would be the argument made in support of this new defense bill? If not, what would be the argument made in opposition to this new defense bill? (Please identify and explain three key points)
Sweden embarks on its largest military build-up for decades: The threat from Russia prompts a bill to raise defense spending by 40% in five years
The Economist, October 19, 2020
“AN ARMED ATTACK against Sweden cannot be ruled out,” warned Peter Hultqvist, Sweden’s defense minister, shortly after he introduced a new defense bill on October 14th. It promises the country’s largest military expansion for 70 years. The reason is not hard to discern. Russia’s assertive behaviour across Europe, from invasion to assassination, has alarmed Swedes.
In recent years, Sweden has accused Russia of violating its airspace and waters several times, most recently with a pair of warships south-west of Gothenburg in September. Sweden has accordingly deepened military ties with NATO (though it is not a member of the alliance), America and its Nordic neighbours. If the new bill is passed, as is likely, the defense budget is set to rise by SKr27.5bn ($3.1bn) between 2021 and 2025, a 40% boost that will bring expenditure to around 1.5% of GDP—the highest level for 17 years.
The new cash will pay for a 50% increase in the armed forces to 90,000 people, a figure that includes regular soldiers, consсrіpts and local reservists in the Home Guard (no longer the Dad’s Army of yesteryear). The army will grow from two mechanised brigades to three, each of around 5,000 soldiers, with a smaller additional brigade for the Stockholm area. The draft, abolished a decade ago and reintroduced for both genders in 2017, will double in size to 8,000 consсrіpts a year, and five new local-defense battalions will be established around the country, tasked with protecting supply lines from the Norwegian ports of Oslo and Trondheim. An amphibious unit will be re-established in Gothenburg, Scandinavia’s largest port. Civil defense is also getting attention, with funding for cybersecurity, the electricity grid and healthcare. “We’ve begun to rebuild a newer version of what we had during the cold war”, says Niklas Granholm of FOI, Sweden’s defense research agency. A big exercise to test national resilience was held this year. The aim is to enable Sweden to hold out in a crisis or war for at least three months, until help arrives (assuming that it does).
It is a dramatic expansion, but much of it is to patch up a creaking force. “The armed forces were in a state of crisis for the last 20 years,” says Henrik Paulsson of the Swedish Defense University. In 2013 Sweden’s top general admitted that his forces could only defend part of the country, and only for one week…Under the new plans, the army will have a more respectable 72 artillery pieces. “We are finally getting our house in order,” says Mr. Granholm. But he warns that “new budgetary black holes” could open up from 2026. “The debate about the bill after this one has already begun”.