Writing Question

Instructions

• This assignment will give you an opportunity to take a closer look at a specific course topic, or a theme that runs throughout the course.
• 8-10 pages in length (not including your title page and reference page). The essay should be double-spaced, 12-point font ( approx 2000 words)
• You can write more if you want to. I have no problem with that, and I dont want you to feel that length is a limitation. However, a shorter essay may not fulfill all the assignment requirements and that may lower your mark.
• There are four topics to choose from, plus a design your own topic option (please see topic list for details; select only one topic).

Essay Topics

Topic # 1. Polarization and insecurity in modern democratic states

The increasing polarization of political culture in democratic states is a hot topic in political studies. Some academics, journalists, and politicians even question whether democracies can continue to survive in places where polarization becomes particularly high and citizens may no longer recognize common realities and facts.

In this course, we look at polarization from a few different perspectives:

• as a phenomenon with deep roots in modern European cultural and intellectual traditions that still shape political debate in western countries today.
• as a problem generated, in part, by economic inequality, globalization, and other factors which make illiberal democracy appealing to many people.
• as something fueled by both traditional media (e.g., TV news outlets) and social media.

Through this essay assignment, you will have an opportunity to look at how two (or more) of these perspectives on polarization can be brought together to help explain a case of polarization that you will research. It can be a case from Canada, the United States, or Europe and it should come from the last decade or so (e.g., the debates over fake news and truth during the Trump presidency, the debates over religious symbols and secularism in Quebec, debates over academic freedom, just to take a few examples). The aim of this essay will not be to take a side in whatever case you select. Instead, the main goal will be to analyze the sources and reasons for polarization in the case you select while using theories and resources studied in this course.

Please write an essay that fulfills the following requirements:

1) Explain at least two of the perspectives on polarization above. Use resources and course readings from Modules 2, 9 and 10, as is appropriate. You must use course resources here, but you can also introduce other academic or journalistic sources (please consult with me first if you want to do this). Value: 10 marks

2) Identify and describe a case of polarization. Include enough detail that I can understand the most significant points of the case. You will need to find at least two journalistic sources for this case (they must come from major news outlets with editorial policies that involve verifying sources). If you want to use non-conventional media to illustrate your case, that is fine, but these wont count as your two sources. If you have any questions about this, please let me know. Value: 5 marks

3) Apply the perspectives on polarization you discussed in the first part of your essay to this case. Articulate how these perspectives help to explain the conflicts and tensions presented by this case. For example, if you are discussing anti-mask protests that are based on suspicion of government and medical elites and a secret corporate agenda, explain how the perspectives that you selected help us understand where these views might be coming from and why they are convincing to those who believe them. Value: 7 marks

The remaining 3 marks are for proper academic documentation and formatting.

• Please note: this is not a grade for your writing. Quality of writing can impact on an overall essay grade in different ways, so it isnt included here. Also, please note that an essay without citations will be returned and I will ask you to resubmit. I am not able to grade an essay that does not cite sources. The minimum penalty for submitting a paper without citations is the full loss of these 3 marks. A late penalty of 5% per day may also be applied until I receive the submission again.

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Topic #2. Liberal internationalism today: debating its role in the contemporary international environment

The second unit in the course focuses on perspectives on international security. This essay topic will allow you to explore a contemporary debate in international relations theory: is liberalism (also called liberal internationalism) an approach which can still work in the contemporary international environment? What value or benefits might there be to maintaining the influence of liberal internationalism? How might a liberal international vision of politics be criticized by either realism or a postcolonial perspective on politics?

Please write an essay that fulfills the following requirements:

1) Write an analysis of John Ikenberrys essay The Next Liberal Order (available under the Module 4 recommended readings) that answers the following questions:

• Why does Ikenberry think liberal internationalism is still the best model for dealing with contemporary international politics?
• What does he mean when he talks about Roosevelts version of liberalism? How does it address realist concerns?
• According to Ikenberry, what role should the United States play in the revival of liberal internationalism and why does the US need the help of other democratic states?

Note: remember to use your own words and formulations. Do not rely on quotations from the readings. The aim of this part of the essay is for you to practice reconstructing the key points and arguments of another authors work. Value: 8 marks

2) How might a realist and a postcolonial theorist criticize Ikenberrys vision of an international order? Please discuss one criticism from each position: realism and postcolonialism. Use the course readings by Kaufman and Loomba as your primary resource for these theories. Value 7: marks

3) Based on what youve read in chapters 13 and 17 of Unsettling Canada: A National Wake-Up call, discuss what value an organization like the United Nations can have as a political resource for Indigenous peoples trying to challenge and dismantle colonial structures. Summarize the arguments made in those chapters and discuss how you think they might be used to critique Ikenberrys ideas about a liberal international order supported by democratic states. Value: 7 marks

The remaining 3 marks are for proper academic documentation and formatting.

• Please note: this is not a grade for your writing. Quality of writing can impact on an overall essay grade in different ways, so it isnt included here. Also, please note that an essay without citations will be returned and I will ask you to resubmit. I am not able to grade an essay that does not cite sources. The minimum penalty for submitting a paper without citations is the full loss of these 3 marks. A late penalty of 5% per day may also be applied until I receive the submission again.

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Topic #3. An unequal world: economic inequality and insecurity

In this course, a number of modules cover the study of economic security. One issue that we focus on is economic inequality. In an essay, I want you to discuss the general issue of income inequality, how it is measured, and the impact it has in contrasting economic environments (e.g., high-income countries and low-income countries). This topic will require you to work with course readings as well as resources that you research.

Please write an essay that fulfills the following requirements:

1. In your own words, summarize Jeffrey Sachss discussion of income inequality in the course reading you have from him (youll find this in Part III of the assigned chapter called Unequal World from his book, The Age of Sustainable Development). Please do not use direct quotations in place of your own words. The point here is for you to construct a summary of his discussion based on your own analysis of what he says. However, if you reference specific data (for example, about Denmarks Gini coefficient), then you should include a proper citation. Value 4 marks.

2. Explain how income inequality is addressed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Then explain how one particular case of income inequality in a lower income country is being addressed by the United Nations or some other organization (e.g., the World Bank). Note: this part of the paper will require some research. You will need at least one source for your case (it could be a report from the UN, for example). If you need some websites to help you start, consult Module 7. Value: 6 marks.

3. Look at the impact of economic inequality in high-income countries. What kind of insecurities does it promote within the societies of these countries? For example, is there a relationship between income inequality and increased political instability? You can focus on a case study or you can look at a debate (e.g., the debate about neoliberalisms effects on democracy). You can find useful materials for this topic on the Course Resources page (look under Modules 8 and 9). Value: 6 marks.

4. In a conclusion, discuss your own assessment and impressions of the impact of income inequality on the security of people within their home countries. Answer this question as part of your reflections: How important do you think the reduction of income inequality is to economic security (within a country or region, or globally, if youd like to think at that scale)? Give reason to support your answer. Value: 6 marks

The remaining 3 marks are for proper academic documentation and formatting.

• Please note: this is not a grade for your writing. Quality of writing can impact on an overall essay grade in different ways, so it isnt included here. Also, please note that an essay without citations will be returned and I will ask you to resubmit. I am not able to grade an essay that does not cite sources. The minimum penalty for submitting a paper without citations is the full loss of these 3 marks. A late penalty of 5% per day may also be applied until I receive the submission again.

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Topic #4. Digital security issues: traditional and human security perspectives

In our module on digital security, there are materials on a wide range of digital security issues: cyber warfare, election interference, states monitoring the digital activity of their citizens, the problems generated by unequal access to the internet and technology, and private companies having access to the digital data generated by their users. Some of these topics speak to more traditional security issues while others are better approached using the framework of human security.

Please write an essay that fulfills the following requirements:

1) Look at two different security issues discussed in Module 10. Using the appropriate course readings, I want you to provide a description and explanation of the two security issues you select and then explain whether each is best understood using a more traditional security perspective or a human security-based one (reference to course readings and learning materials will also be required here). Value: 14 marks (7 marks for each digital security issue)

2) As part of your analysis of these two security issues, I want you to research and discuss a specific real-world example (not hypothetical) that represents each issue (e.g., a documented act of cyber warfare). Your resources for this can be taken from the following:

• Required or recommended course readings
• Journalistic sources (including documentary films), academic journals, or government reports.

Value: 8 marks (4 marks for each example)

The remaining 3 marks are for proper academic documentation and formatting.

• Please note: this is not a grade for your writing. Quality of writing can impact on an overall essay grade in different ways, so it isnt included here. Also, please note that an essay without citations will be returned and I will ask you to resubmit. I am not able to grade an essay that does not cite sources. The minimum penalty for submitting a paper without citations is the full loss of these 3 marks. A late penalty of 5% per day may also be applied until I receive the submission again.

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Topic #5. Design your own topic: if you have another idea for a paper that youd like to work on, you can. However, you would need to get approval from me for both the topic and the resources you use from me first. We would also have to agree on a grading scheme.

If you are thinking of designing your own topic, please keep the following conditions in mind:

• you must focus on a topic related to the course in some way
• you must use at least one required or recommended reading from the course
• your paper cant be based on an essay or assignment produced for another class

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