POLI330 All Week Discussions Latest 2018 December Question # 00596410 Course Code : POLI330 Subject: Political Science Due on: 01/03/2019 Posted On: 01/03/2019 11:23 AM Tutorials: 1 Rating: 4.6/5

POLI330
Political Science

Week 1
Discussion

DQ1 Politics in Our Daily Lives

As we read and discuss the definition of politics, let’s
also consider the consequences of political decisions on our everyday lives.
Can you think of examples from your everyday life when you encounter politics?
What makes these experiences “political”?

As you discuss this with one another, let’s not forget to
comment on other people’s experiences. Have you experienced similar situations?
Can you think of creative ways in which politics plays itself out in your daily
life?

DQ2 The Study of Political Science

The reading this week discusses the role of political
scientists and their attempts to treat the study of politics as a science. In
these efforts, they build scholarship based on reason, balance, and supporting
evidence, although much of this scholarship is based on theory.

Discuss how political scientists attempt to quantify data,
manipulate data statistically, and attempt to validate hypotheses.

POLI330
Political Science

Week 2
Discussion

DQ1 Understanding the Theories

As your text explains, Plato is considered the father of
political science. Within The Republic, he presents his theories on the
foundations of a perfect government. Rather than a theoretical examination of
government, The Republic is written in story form, as the main character
Socrates explores the ideal way to form a city.

A largely studied portion of The Republic deals with Plato’s
cave allegory. The story goes something like this: You, as a person, find yourself
within a cave, chained to the ground, facing a stone wall. You cannot stand,
and all you know are the images that play out before you, which are the shadows
cast by a light source from behind you. You cannot see behind you, but you know
that there are others in the cave with you. This is the only state you have
ever known. It is your only reality of the world. Plato goes on to explain that
then one day, people come and remove your chains, and take you out of the cave.
As you can imagine, you are scared and frightful, and thus fight these
individuals as they drag you into this new setting. However, over time you
learn to accept the larger image of the world around you and come to understand
life outside of the cave. You then attempt to go back into the cave to free
others.

This story was Plato’s attempt to explain the world around
us. Just picture it: You are chained to the ground and all you can see in front
of you is a cave wall. There is a light source behind you, which casts
reflections on the wall.

What do you think you would think of these reflections?
Could they represent family members? Or friends? What about a god?

DQ2 Liberalism versus Socialism

The term liberalism, when applied to governments, is very
different from the term liberal in America. Where liberalism implies a limited
government, here in the United States a liberal is not usually seen as
supporting a smaller government. This can be very confusing. In an effort to
better understand these various meanings, we need to explore the variations
within liberalism itself.

So who would like to explain how modern liberalism varies
from classical liberalism? In addition, in what ways is classical liberalism
similar to conservatism today?

POLI330
Political Science

Week 3
Discussion

DQ1 Democracies Compared

Over the past few weeks, we have had the opportunity to
explore the roots of political philosophy. Let’s take a moment to focus in upon
the idea of democracy. What is the true definition of democracy?

DQ2 The Division of Power

As we have seen through our readings, governments differ on
where the power of the state should be held.

Unitary systems concentrate the power within the central
government and little or no authority is granted to the component areas. In
contrast, federal systems allow first-order civil divisions to have some
autonomy, while the central government maintains authority over some areas.

Take a moment to compare and contrast the strengths and
weaknesses of each system.

POLI330
Political Science

Week 4
Discussion

DQ1 Political Parties and Interest Groups

We continually hear about interest groups in the news.
Understanding this, what is the relationship between interest groups and
government? How does this apply to government-created interest groups? In
addition, what are the effects of bureaucrats as interest groups? Do you
believe this crossover between bureaucrats and interest groups to be right?
Please be sure to provide specific examples in your response.

DQ2 Elections

Compare and contrast single-member districts and proportional
representation (PR). How effective is each electoral system in representing its
people’s interests? How do they support the party systems around which they
arose?

POLI330
Political Science

Week 5
Discussion

DQ1 Parliamentary and Presidential Systems

As we turn our focus to the international realm, let’s take
a moment to compare the governmental systems of the United Kingdom and the
United States.

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?

DQ2 Federal Judicial Branch

The lesson this week suggests that the judicial branch is
the least democratic branch of government, due to how federal judges are
appointed.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a branch
of government where its members are not democratically elected? Would you
change the way federal judges are selected?

POLI330
Political Science

Week 6
Discussion

DQ1 Welfare Systems

Examine the efficacy of U.S. welfare programs. What do such
programs intend to accomplish? What are some criticisms against them? Be sure
to cite specific academic examples, not just ones from your opinion.

DQ2 Global Markets

Several countries around the world are transitioning to
market economies; 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?

POLI330
Political Science

Week 7
Discussion

DQ1 Ethnic Violence

In discussing the concept of violence this week, let’s 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 that
the territory in question, which commands the nation’s only source of clean
water, is vital to security. Is violence inevitable?

DQ2 International Treaties

In considering the international realm, let’s consider the
concept of economic treaties. Specifically, let’s 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?