Category: Political Science

In your journal entry for this week, make sure that you highlight the following “journal props” as well any other materials you learned or gleaned from the lecture notes and readings. They are provided to you simply as “guidelines” to direct your focus on the subject matter. You should follow the journal “props” as indicated, then add on other materials gleaned from your assigned readings as well as the lecture. Please do not confine yourself, but you need to incorporate as much detail as possible to convince the instructor/reader that you have read and understood the materials for the week. If you have any questions, please let me know:

1. What is the role of “institutional choice” to the democratic process?
2. What are the major distinctions between presidential and parliamentary systems; and how do both conform to democratic principles?
3. Explain the various processes for laying down the “institutional foundations” for durable democracies [These may be the most basic things often taken for granted in the broader society, such as obeying road signals and speed limits, or standing in the queue at the post office].
4. Does ‘rule of law’ matter (whether one is right or wrong) for enduring democracies?
5. In what ways can regime transitions foster or undermine democracies?
6. Drawing upon historical/contemporary analogies, would you say that world democracies are in a state of evolutionary crises, stability, growing pains, crisis of an inability to meet the challenge of rising expectations, all are overstated and none of these? Why or why not? Take a position and defend it.

Response are limited to 250-300 words. The Responses to a LeadResponse are to likewise show understanding of the weeks material, so make sure to comment with substance, and properly cite course material. Respond to the lead response raising questions, or issues, or extending the

argument likewise using the weeks assigned material, to make sure everything you say is supported by evidence and to show you can use whatyou learn in that week to engage in discussion.

Please choose either Lead Response #1 or Lead Response #2 or or Lead Response #3.

Ideology Game

My political ideology falls between libertarianism and conservatism. I believe individuals should have broad personal and economic freedom with limited government interference, which reflects libertarian values. At the same time, I support conservative ideas about social order, national identity, and the importance of tradition in maintaining stable societies. For example, first, I believe free markets and entrepreneurship should be encouraged with minimal regulation because economic freedom drives innovation and opportunity. Second, I think government should be strong in areas like national security and border control to preserve sovereignty and stability. Third, I believe social institutions such as family and cultural traditions should be respected and not rapidly changed by government policy. Together, these views place me in a libertarian-leaning conservative position on the ideological matrix.

2. Influences to Your Politics

One major event that influenced my political ideology was the recent Gen-Z movement in Nepal. Seeing young people mobilize against corruption, economic stagnation, and weak governance made me value both individual freedom and national reform. It showed me that citizens must have the liberty to demand accountability while also strengthening the nations institutions. This reinforced my libertarian-conservative belief that freedom and national stability should coexist.

An individual who strongly shaped my beliefs is my mother. She emphasized personal responsibility, respect for tradition, and pride in our national identity while also encouraging independence and self-reliance. Her values helped shape my view that people should be free to pursue their goals but remain grounded in cultural and moral foundations.

3.

Abraham Lincolns character was defined by humility, empathy, and moral conviction, which played a central role in his effectiveness as a leader. Coming from a modest background, he developed a deep understanding of ordinary peoples struggles, allowing him to connect with citizens across social and regional divides. His empathy was especially evident during the Civil War, as he consistently framed the conflict not only as a political crisis but as a human tragedy affecting families and the nations conscience. This compassion strengthened public trust and gave moral weight to his decisions, including the push toward emancipation. Lincolns honesty and integrity also earned him the nickname Honest Abe, reinforcing confidence in his leadership during one of the most uncertain periods in U.S. history.

Equally important was Lincolns perseverance and emotional resilience. He faced repeated political failures, intense criticism, and the immense pressure of leading a divided nation, yet he remained steady and focused on preserving the Union. Rather than acting impulsively, Lincoln showed patience and strategic thinking, carefully timing major actions such as the Emancipation Proclamation to maintain political support while advancing moral goals. His ability to combine firm principles with pragmatic leadership allowed him to guide the country through civil war and redefine its founding ideals around liberty and equality. Lincolns charactercompassionate yet resoluteenabled him to unify people behind a higher national purpose, which is why historians consider him one of Americas greatest presidents.

One Page Article Analysis

First, read a news story from the newspaper or the Internet. Answer the following questions regarding your news story: 1) What is the main issue, who are the main actors being discussed, what are your thoughts about this story?;

Second, choose one of the assigned articles from Canvas you read for this week. Answer the following questions regarding the assigned article: 1) What are the basics of this article (who, what, when, how, why, etc.); 2) What is the overall main point the author is trying to convince you of? 3) Do you agree with the authors argument? Why? Why not?

Finally, tie together your news story with what you learned from the assigned article, textbook readings, podcasts, videos, etc. for this week. Type your answers using your own words, no outline or bullets, complete sentences and paragraphs, single-spaced, full-page.

There are fifteen article analysis assignments required (50 points each), one due in the dropbox on Monday of each week by 10:30 am (no late work please). Each of these assignments requires the student to read articles assigned for the week on Canvas (for example: “Export This?”), as well as recent political news stories from a major daily periodical or e-news source (NY Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, CNN Politics, Sacramento Bee, etc.). You must read the newspaper every day and choose a story about American politics for your weekly Article Analysis. We will discuss your news story at the beginning of class every Monday when I ask “So, what is going on in American politics today?”

The idea behind this assignment is to have students keep up on political events from throughout the country, put them in the context of broader conceptual thought (based on the assigned articles for the week), and then think critically about that news event. Students are expected to use their own thoughts and words in the written assignments. Use of ChatGPT or other AI tools to submit what should be original written work will be detected and given zero points.

The quality of writing should be college level, one full page, at least 300 words, double or single spaced, 12 pt font. You must include a citation of the source of your news article with the title, author’s name, periodical name, and date of publication (MLA or APA format). Please Submit Assignment as a .pdf or Word doc.

Plagiarism will result in zero points. I use a program called TurnItIn and other AI detectors to determine how much, if any, of your assignment has come directly from the Internet or is AI generated. So, please put everything in your own words. Do not cut and paste anything from the Internet or AI generated text.

I recommend students clip several political news articles from the newspaper or the internet each week. Then, in your article analysis, you can tie one or more of these stories to what you have been learning from the assigned articles, textbook, podcasts, and other course resources.

Be prepared to talk about your news story in class on Mondays.

Attached Files (PDF/DOCX): What History Tells Us About Trumps Implosion and Bidens Opportunity _ The Nation.pdf, Skowronek_Essay_Trump_2_0_GPT light edit.pdf

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