Imagine you have been hired as a consultant for a client of your choice, and tasked with preparing a strategy report for a policy initiative important to your clients interests. Identify a current U.S. policy issue about which you would like to learn more, and a client with a stake in this issue on whose behalf you can research the issue. Prepare a report that explains contemporary debates around this issue and a range of potential policy solutions, and recommend a specific policy action your client can take to address this challenge.
Your report should be 5-7 pages in length, using standard fonts and margins, including any charts or figures, but excluding your bibliography. Your pages may be formatted in whatever manner you think will most effectively convey your findings to your client. No cover page is required, but you should address your report to your client. Include a one-paragraph executive summary outlining your findings and recommendations at the beginning of the report. The remainder of the report may be divided into subsections as you deem appropriate. All sources referenced should be carefully cited in the text of your report and with full bibliographic entries in end notes, using a citation style of your choosing. You should include a minimum of (5) outside sources in your bibliography, but use as many sources as are necessary to present your analysis and detail your strategy.

In building the case for your recommended policy, your report should address the following topics:

(A) Provide relevant background on the issue under consideration, including the history and current state of the issue in the United States. Give special attention to the current or potential social and political impacts of this issue. What is the importance of this issue for Americans? Why is policy action needed on this issue?

(B) Discuss the significance of this issue for your clientwhich of your clients interests may be affected, and how this issue relates to your clients mission, goals, and/or responsibilities. How does your policy proposal advance your clients interests?

(C) Evaluate a range of alternative policy responses to this challenge. What are some different ways this problem could be solved? Compare the advantages and disadvantages of each policy option for the American public, as well as with respect to your clients interests.

(D) Briefly outline a strategy your client should adopt to achieve the policy goals you have articulated. Describe specific actions your client should take, the resources necessary for the successful execution of the strategy, the timeline on which these actions should be taken, etc. What is the appropriate role for your client in this effort? What are some of the biggest obstacles to the successful execution of this strategy? Consider the range of other stakeholders who may have an interest in this issue. Who are some potential allies in this endeavor, and how can they assist your client? Who is likely to oppose your plan? How should your client work with or against both friendly and unfriendly interests?

(E) Explain how your preferred policy will strengthen American democracy, and how it is consistent with other core American values. You should reference at least one course reading in your discussion.