DeVry POLI330 Week 1 discussionsPolitics in Our Daily Lives (graded)As we read and discuss the definition of politics, lets also consider the consequences of political decisions upon our daily routines.Can you think of a time when a political act impacted your daily life? What made this experience political?As we begin our discussions, lets not forget to comment on each others posts. Can you see any similarities in your situations?The Study of Political Science (graded)
Our text mentions that Political Science seeks to study human behavior through the use of a scientific method that, at times, can prompt objections and debate.If this is true, why do you think this is the case? Please be sure to provide a specific example from the text to support your response.DeVry POLI330 Week 2 discussionTypes of Power (graded)
If politics truly defines who gets what, when, where, and how, then those that succeed at this game must have some advantage in doing so. This advantage comes from power.So, what is the definition of power? And what types of power are utilized in the political realm?Theories Regarding the State (graded)
Chapter 4 begins with a description of Platos allegory of the cave. As we focus upon the ethical questions concerning the role of the state this week, lets take a closer look at this parable.What is the setting of the story? Who are the main characters? And what major events transpire?DeVry POLI330 Week 3 discussionsIdeologies Compared (graded)
This week your Critical Reflection Paper compares the concepts of liberalism and socialism. To best prepare you for this assignment, lets take a deeper look at the variations found within liberalism. Classical liberalism is based upon the work of John Locke and Adam Smith whereas modern liberalism focuses upon the work of T.H. Green.So, what are the differences between these two forms of liberalism? And of the two, which do you agree with most?Fascism Explored (graded)
Your text states that fascism is an ideology that introduces totalitarianism as the objective of political decision making. Its practice stands in opposition to both liberal and socialist ideals. So, what does fascism have against individualism, family, and pacifism?DeVry POLI330 Week 4 discussionsThe Supreme Court (graded)
The lecture this week suggests that the Supreme Court is the least democratic branch of government, and yet it serves an important function in our democracy. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a branch of government that is not democratically elected? Would you change the way the court is appointed?Democracies Compared (graded)
Over the past few weeks, we have had the opportunity to explore the roots of political philosophy. Lets take a moment to focus in upon the idea of democracy. So, what is the true definition of democracy.DeVry POLI330 Week 5 discussionParliamentary versus Presidential Systems (graded)As we turn our focus to the international realm, lets take a moment to compare the governmental systems of the UK and the U.S.Identify a few key differences between a parliamentary and a presidential system. How is the top leader selected differently? How do you think this difference impacts the kind of people who are chosen?This section lists options that can be used to view responses.THE ROLE OF THIRD PARTIES (GRADED)
Third parties in the U.S. are notorious for their lack of success.So, can anyone explain why this is?
DeVry POLI330 week 6 discussionCHALLENGES TO WESTERN DEMOCRATIC IDEAS (GRADED)People in democratic societies would like to think the process would/could/should work everywhere. But sometimes when democracy is exported, its rejected in the most emphatic and sometimes violent ways. What is it about the idea that people in non-Western societies dont like?>ETHNIC VIOLENCE (GRADED)
In discussing the concept of violence this week, lets take a moment to consider the following situation.Imagine a country where religious factions inside a nation want to have their own separate homeland. The government refuses, claiming the territory in question, which commands the nations only source of clean water, is vital to security. Is violence inevitable?DeVry POLI330 Week 7 DiscussionThe European Union (graded)In considering the international realm, lets consider the concept of economic treaties. Specifically, lets think about an organization like the European Union (EU). Why was it formed? In addition, what are some of the objectives of the nations that are joining the EU?Global Markets (graded)
Several countries around the world are transitioning to a market economy; the most significant of these are China and Russia. What do you think the impact will be on other countries around the world as these two countries become even more significant in the global economy? What are some examples of this impact?POLI 330 Week 1 TCO AssessmentQuestion 1. Question :(TCO 1) What were your economic left/right results?Question 2. Question : (TCO 1) What were your social libertarian/authoritarian results?Question 3. Question : (TCO 1) If a person believes that market should regulate itself, and that government should stay out of business, would he or she fall more to the right or the left side of the political scale?Question 4. Question : (TCO 1) If a person believes that federal agencies such as the FDA, EPA, and SEC serve a public good, is he or she moving more to the right or left of 100% capitalism?Question 5. Question : (TCO 1) If a person feels that the government is needed to ensure that all people obtain equality, would he or she fall more on the right or the left of the economic scale?Question 6. Question : (TCO 1) If a person believes that mandatory gun safety classes should be required to buy a gun, would he or she move up or down the social scale?Question 7. Question : (TCO 1) If a person believes that Christianity is or should be the national religion of the United States, would he or she move up or down the social scale?Question 8. Question : (TCO 1) If a person believes that he or she knows more about his or her own life than the government, and thus should have the authority to make his or her own decisions, would he or she move more up or down the social scale?POLI 330 Week 2 TCO Assessment(TCO 6) In a 100% capitalist structure, the owners are offered what advantages?(TCO 6) In a 100% capitalist structure, the owners face what challenges?(TCO 6) In a 100% socialist structure, the owners would be offered what advantages?(TCO 6) In a 100% socialist structure, the owners would be faced with what challenges?(TCO 6) In a 100% capitalist structure, the workers are offered what advantages?(TCO 6) In a 100% capitalist structure, the workers face what challenges?(TCO 6) In a 100% socialist structure, the worker would be offered what advantages?(TCO 6) In a 100% socialist structure, the worker would be faced with what challenges?POLI 330 Week 3 TCO Assessment
(TCO 2) As we have been discussing, throughout history, many people were not fans of pure democracy. One of the reasons for this was the idea of factions, as addressed in Madisons Federalist No. 10. So what is the definition of a faction?(TCO 2) Why are factions a threat to a democratic government?(TCO 2) According to Madison, what are the two ways to remove the cause of a faction?(TCO 2) From your reading, please distinguish why the two ways to remove a faction are not effective.(TCO 2) What is it about human nature that causes factions to form?(TCO 2) Differentiate the characteristics of a pure democracy from a republic.(TCO 2) In referencing Madison, provide at least two reasons explaining why a republic can do a better job of controlling the effects of faction than a pure democracy.(TCO 2) Assess Madisons argument. Do you find that a republican form of government is the best way to control factions, in contrast to pure democracy? And how do you think this system has worked in controlling the factions over time?POLI 330 Week 4 TCO Assessment(TCO 3) From your own research, what interest group did you find? Please list its name and website information.(TCO 3) From your own research, list three important pieces of information that give us a picture of what your interest group believes.(TCO 3) From your own research, describe a specific policy action your group desires.(TCO 3) From your own research, whom does this group lobby most, or most effectively? For example, is there a political party or certain congressional representatives who seem to get more of its attention, money, or information? Which committees and subcommittees would it particularly lobby?(TCO 3) From your congress.gov research, what is the title of the legislation (include its origination or appropriate numbers)?(TCO 3) From your congress.gov research, who are its key sponsors and their party affiliation?(TCO 3) From your congress.gov research, what is its current status within Congress?(TCO 3) From your congress.gov research, describe briefly your personal reaction to this legislation. Do you think it will pass and do you think it should pass? Why? (Two to three sentences are required.)POLI 330 Week 5 TCO Assessment(TCO 4) What are your initial, nonlegal, thoughts on this case? How would you decide it based on your own belief structures? For example, if you were the judge in this case, would you would allow Mr. Trident to leave the hospital, thus bringing about his death? Or would you feel for Mr. Trident but side with the hospital because he clearly is not in the right mind to make such decisions for himself? Or would you perhaps side with the hospital because people should not be allowed to refuse medical treatment or go to the extreme of ordering the hospital to aid in the shortening of his life so that he did not have to suffer a painful death? What would you do? Please put some thought into your answer and provide at least 45 sentences as you explain it.(TCO 4) What is the difference between moral and legal reasoning?(TCO 4) In a true legal argument, should legal reasoning or moral reasoning be used?(TCO 4) Mr. Trident is arguing that the hospital has violated his 14th Amendment right to due process. What part of the 14th Amendment is he referring to in his argument?(TCO 4) Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health is a case studied in the right-to-die debate. What precedent did it help to establish?(TCO 4) How does the Cruzan case factor into Mr. Tridents argument?(TCO 4) Given the precedent established in the Cruzan case, how would you now have to decide the case if you were the judge?(TCO 4) What other U.S. Supreme Court cases deal with the right-to-die issue?POLI 330 Week 6 TCO Assessment(TCO 7) What is your final plan to present to the president? What changes did you decide to implement?(TCO 7) Please explain why you chose the options that you did.(TCO 7) How will your decisions affect the elderly, the poor, the rich, and national security if implemented?(TCO 7) Was covering the hypothetical budget gap more or less difficult than you expected? Please explain.(TCO 7) Which of your decisions might be perceived as politically motivated? Why?(TCO 7) What are the trade-offs of preserving some programs while protecting others?(TCO 7) How do your decisions result in a marginal benefit to society so that they can outweigh the marginal cost to society?(TCO 7) Did doing this exercise change your feelings about the budget debate in Washington? If so, how? If not, why not?POLI 330 Week 7 TCO Assessment(TCO 9) As the simulation shows, Muhammeds father was killed by the Israelis in their war of independence, as they attempted to defend their state and enforce the boundaries established by the UN. Although this was an international decree, all Muhammed witnessed was his fathers death and the loss of his family home as the land of his forefathers was taken to make room for what many Palestinians viewed as the occupiers. If you were him, how would you react? For example, would you blame the Israelis for hurting your father and taking your land, and then pass on this hatred to your children so they would know never to trust the Israelis? Would you seek revenge for your family and people? Or is there a chance that you would accept the new conditions of the UN resolution because it was in the best interest of the people of the world? What about simply seeking strength in your religion and guiding your children away from the hatreds of the past in an effort to protect them? Please put some thought into your answer and provide at least 45 sentences as you explain it.(TCO 9) Within the Israeli home, Ben knows from the horrors faced by his parents what can happen when there is not a state of Israel in the world. He thus supports his state and will do anything to defend its claim to this region. How does this differ from Muhammeds stance?(TCO 9) What do Muhammed and Ben have in common?(TCO 9) Serapin and Sarah _____.(TCO 9) Judith and Ahmed are the youngest members of their respective families. What do they have in common?(TCO 9) Given what you have read and what you know about the conflicts between Israel and Palestine, what is the likelihood that the children will continue the cycle of violence in this land if nothing radically changes?(TCO 9) What impact has the violence in this land had on the legitimacy of the Israeli government?(TCO 9) Abdullah has admittedly committed terrorist acts against Israel. According to your text, does terrorism work?