Identify and explain the four functions of ideologies. Draw upon at least one theorist discussed in the modules to illustrate your understanding of these concepts.

INSTRUCTIONS

This is a take-home, open-book exam consisting of essay questions. Please note the following instructions:

You are only required to answer three of the four essay questions

Each essay should be roughly 400 – 800 words in length. This however, is only a guideline, as I grade

on content, rather than length

Essays should be double spaced with appropriate sized fonts

All sources must be cited and formatted based on your choice of MLA, APA, or Chicago formats

All essays must be saved in a single file and uploaded to the D2L midterm dropbox

All submissions will be processed through D2L’s plagiarism detection software

GRADING INFORMATION

These essays will be graded in a similar manner as the written assignments. An excellent essay will demonstrate the following characteristics:

The essay thoroughly addresses all components of the question

The essay is focused on the topic of the question and contains few to no tangential discussions

All explanations of specific theorists and concepts are accurate and supported with textual

references when appropriate

The essay contains a smooth and logical progression of explanations and arguments

The overall readability of the essay is not diminished by mistakes of spelling or grammar

ESSAY QUESTIONS

Describe the ‘state of nature’ according to Hobbes. What aspects of human nature make this social condition unavoidable? Explain Locke’s depiction of the ‘state of nature,’ and its main points ofdifferentiation with Hobbes. Which do you find more convincing?

Identify and explain the four functions of ideologies. Draw upon at least one theorist discussed in the modules to illustrate your understanding of these concepts.

Identify and explain the main characteristics of classical (Burkean) conservatism. Select two contemporary variations of conservatism and identify the similarities and differences with classical conservatism.

Drawing on Mill and de Tocqueville, explain the social and intellectual effects of democracies. Why do democratic societies tend towards social conformity and intellectual mediocrity? How can these negative effects be minimized or avoided?

avoid using large vocabulary and no plagiarism turnitin assignment

Describe MacKinnon’s “dominance” approach to gender politics. Does thinking in terms of power rather than difference change the nature of the debate?

1. Pateman says the sexual contract is part of the social contract. Describe with reference to the “Founding Fathers” of the U.S.; and the establishment of Australia.

2. How, for Pateman, does the liberal idea of individual rights mask patriarchy and curtail the political lives of women?

3. Is there a politics to sex, relations between the sexes, and private life? Is the sex industry political?

4. MacKinnon says that whether one focuses on sameness or difference, man remains the measure of all things (p. 382). How does this work?

5. Why does MacKinnon consider American society “an affirmative action plan” for men (p.384).

6. What are the fallacies of thinking in terms of “women’s” art, culture, morality, or history (sometimes called “her-story)?

7. Describe MacKinnon’s “dominance” approach to gender politics. Does thinking in terms of power rather than difference change the nature of the debate?

Directions:

Answers MUST come from the book “Introduction to Political Theory” by Bronner. Please state the question first and then the answer. The answer must be 5-6 sentences long.

Do you think members of Congress should do what their consituents want, or should they use their own judgment even if it is unpopular?

Do you think members of Congress should do what their consituents want, or should they use their own judgment even if it is unpopular?

maximum length a paragraph and a half

No quotes, citations or large vocabulary

need it done within an hour today before 9pm eastern time

Consistent high quality contributions: Students are expected to contribute to online discussion throughout the semester and participate in each discussion. In evaluating student contributions, I am more interested in the quality of posts than in the sheer number of comments made. Generally, “quality” posts are those that offer analytical elaboration on why the questions or topics posed are relevant, important, or interesting, or those that provide constructive answers to questions as posed.

This case led to the question, did the constitution also include the right to not have children?

How does the right to privacy protect a women’s right to have an abortion or not?

Skinner v Oklahoma

Oklahoma wanted to make a law, that involved mandatory sterilization for individuals convicted of two or more crimes of “moral turpitude”. For the first time ever, the court ruled the right to marry was fundamental, and the right of married couples to have children was an extension of this basic right and was important to the survival of the race. This case led to the question, did the constitution also include the right to not have children?

Since than the courts have heard many abortion cases including United States v Vuitch (1971), Roe v Wade (1973) and Doe v Bolton (1973). By 1971, federal courts across the country had invalidated more than a half a dozen state criminal abortion laws. Many felt the laws, violated the reproductive freedom of women and were challenged by the ACLU, the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws, Planned Parenthood, the National Organization for Women, physical activist, law professors, public interest lawyers, and attorneys in private practices.

In January 1973, a court ruled 7-2, that the right to privacy found in the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment was broad enough to include a woman’s decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy. However, even though the courts have declared Abortions safe under the 14th amendment, ” one must also remember that each state also has its own constitution, with rights analogous to their counterparts (Grondelski, 2013, 77 &78)”. The results for each state seem to be mixed. Some states, such as New Jersey go above and beyond what the federal court, expected. Including paying for an abortion with medicaid. Some states have avoid creating “state rights” for abortions. In Florida and Mississippi, have used parental consent and parental notification to expand state abortion rights. A total of 12 state supreme courts, have recognized legal abortions in their state constitutions: Alaska, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Tennessee, and Vermont.

Is this a constitutionally valid interpretation of the right to privacy? Why or why not?

The 14th Amendment

No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws

What is Privacy

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath

The right of privacy was not originally mentioned anywhere in the constitution. However, if you look at the other amendments, especially due process of the 14th amendment, all of these things would factor into the definition of what privacy consist of constitutional wise. So despite what ones belief is on abortions, the courts made an accurate decision because with the definitions and the 14th amendment, a women’s reproductive system would be factored under the constitution.

Ivers, G. (2013). Constitutional law: An introduction [Electronic version]. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/

(Links to an external site.)

Links to an external site.

Grondelski, John, M. (2013). Abortion Under State Constitutions: A state by Sate Analysis. 39(1). 77-80. Retrieved from: http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=7774b8ea-98e6-4553-9c34-83fccce181b8%40sessionmgr120

(Links to an external site.)

Links to an external site.

Which international relations theoretical perspective offers the strongest (and weakest) explanations for the democratic peace? Why?

The Democratic Peace: Fact or FadPrepare-1.png

Prepare: Read the Conclusion in the course text.

Reflect-1.png

Reflect: The Conclusion in the course text examines several explanations to account for the empirically well-supported phenomenon of the democratic peace. According to nearly all research conducted on this topic, established democracies do not fight other strong democracies. Each of the theoretical perspectives we have investigated offer different reasons as to why and how this occurs. For example, the realist perspective suggests that the democratic peace is a result of the fact that democracies often belong to the same alliances or that they are able to effectively balance power, thereby decreasing the need for war. The identity perspective proposes that democracies are inherently peaceful or that they are bound together by common norms, values, and ideas. The liberal perspective argues that democracies do not fight other democracies because of the high levels of trade between them, the fact that they belong to common institutions, or the possibility that they possess superior negotiating skills that allow them to deftly avoid war. Examining this fascinating phenomenon of international relations enables us to apply many valuable, relevant concepts and theories of international relations. The democratic peace and the concepts used to explain it are indeed valuable tools that allow us to expand our understanding of global politics and enlarge our overall political science knowledge base.

Write-1.png

Write: In your initial post of at least 200 words, answer the following:

Which international relations theoretical perspective offers the strongest (and weakest) explanations for the democratic peace? Why?

Will the democratic peace be a long-lasting phenomenon? Why or why not?

In response to the democratic peace, should U.S. foreign policy encourage the spread of democracy? If so, how?

In your initial post of at least 200 words, address the primary differences between how mainstream perspectives (realist, liberal, and identity) and the critical theory perspectives explain globalization?

Report Issue
Globalization and ChangePrepare-2.pngPrepare: Read Chapters 8, 9, and 10 of the course text. Reflect-2.pngReflect: As we have determined in previous lessons, the different IR perspectives offer unique insights into the phenomenon of globalization. For example, from a realist perspective, the source of globalization lies with the influential states that shape the international system. For the liberal perspective, certain types of technological and economic developments have driven the phenomenon of globalization. The identity perspective emphasizes the impact, as well as the battle between crucial, critical ideas that emerged in the latter half of the 21st century. While these three mainstream IR perspectives provide valid views of globalization, alternative perspectives, also known as critical theory perspectives, can also provide unique and contrasting viewpoints on the causes and impacts of globalization. These differences between factors provide excellent visions into how these perspectives describe, explain, and predict the impacts of globalization. Write-2.pngWrite: In your initial post of at least 200 words, address the primary differences between how mainstream perspectives (realist, liberal, and identity) and the critical theory perspectives explain globalization?

discussed for support to explain which is the greater threat in today’s world: ethnic conflicts or terrorism? Why?

The Contemporary International SystemPrepare-3.pngPrepare: Read Chapters 5, 6, and 7 of the course text. Reflect-3.pngReflect: Realist, liberal, and identity perspectives provide excellent insights into today’s contemporary world. The realist perspective generally emphasizes the importance of power in international politics. In general, power is the capacity to influence others to do things that they would otherwise not be likely to do. Power is derived from many sources, but realists often emphasize in particular military power and the control of vital resources. Liberal views of the contemporary world focus on the integrating forces of international institutions and economic interdependence. The 1990s, according to the liberal perspective, provides extensive examples of the role of international institutions in collective security, legitimizing intervention into the affairs of other states. Identity perspectives focus on religious, ethnic, and national differences and on the role of political reform in integrating different groups and promoting tolerance. The identity perspective sees ethnic conflicts as socially created and advocates tolerance and democratization as the most effective answers to those conflicts. Consequently, knowledge of all three perspectives is needed in order to form a coherent, comprehensive picture of today’s international environment. Write-3.pngWrite: In your initial post of at least 200 words, use one of the major IR perspectives (realist, liberal, or identity) discussed for support to explain which is the greater threat in today’s world: ethnic conflicts or terrorism? Why?

Explain what factor(s) made the communications effective and timely.

Communicating National InterestsPrepare-4.pngPrepare: Read Chapters 2, 3, and 4 of the course text. Reflect-4.pngReflect: Effective and timely communications among international actors is essential for a peaceful and predictable international environment. History is replete with examples of both effective, timely communications and ineffective, poorly timed communications between international actors. Effective, timely communications enables actors to share interests, to establish constructive and collaborative relationships, and to maintain stable and progressive foreign affairs. Ineffective, inopportune communications can result in conflict, reduce cooperation, and increase stress and fear among international actors. International disputes, diplomatic incidents, and even wars, have resulted from ineffective, inopportune communications. Success and failure can often be attributed to similar or contrasting theoretical perspectives on how to conduct foreign affairs. Therefore, a more in-depth understanding of how communications are sent, received, and interpreted is needed in order to understand global politics. Write-4.pngWrite: In your initial post of at least 200 words, complete only the portions you are assigned:

Identify, from the course text readings on World War I, World War II, and the Cold War, one example from each conflict of effective, timely communications of national interests between international actors.

Explain what factor(s) made the communications effective and timely.

Describe one strength of each of the realist, liberal, and identity perspectives.

IR Theories: Strengths and WeaknessesPrepare-5.pngPrepare: Read the Introduction and Chapter 1 of the course text. Reflect-5.pngReflect: Perspectives have been described as “a statement or a hypothesis that explains the primary cause of what is happening—for example a struggle for power causes conflict and sometimes war” (Nau, 2017, p. 4). Our ability to describe, explain, and predict international relations (IR) are valuable skills that enable political scientists to influence and affect international politics and global leaders. One of the most important tools that international relations experts routinely utilize are theoretical perspectives. Specifically, most IR specialists are experts at using realism, liberalism, and identity perspectives to describe, explain, and predict international relations. Consequently, students of IR must master these perspectives and the intricacies of their major principles and tenets. Write-5.pngWrite: In your initial post of at least 200 words, complete the following:

Describe one strength of each of the realist, liberal, and identity perspectives.

Describe one weaknesses of each of the realist, liberal, and identity perspectives.

Assess which perspective(s) provides a more comprehensive and accurate explanation of world events.