Essay Assignment
Choose one essay topic to write a 1,500 words essay. It should not be on the same topic of your mid-term exam. You need to use at least THREE academic sources and it should include the discussion of relevant examples. You should use the Harvard, Chicago or footnoting reference systems (no APA). Don't forget to include references to page numbers. Do not use Wikipedia, the class slides, dictionaries, or other unreliable sources in your essay. The library is well stocked with books on any of these topics and there is also an electronic library where you can access academic journal. Please answer the question directly.
1. ‘Power is dispersed across society'. Comment this sentence considering debates between pluralist thinkers, Neo-Marxists, Elite Theorists and Neo-Pluralists.
2. In what ways is power exercised and manifest?
3. Which factors led scholars to conclude that ideologies do not matter anymore?
4. What is an ideology?
5. Does it still make sense to talk about left and right?
6. Compare and contrast classical liberalism and social liberalism.
7. ‘Individualism is the core concept of liberalism'. Discuss this statement.
8. Compare and contrast democratic socialism and social democracy.
9. Was the Third Way social-democratic?
10. Why is social democracy in crisis?
11. Examine the points of agreement and disagreement between socialists and liberals.
12. ‘Any attempt to justify government on rational grounds will only lead to unsolvable arguments about the expediency and legitimacy of any government'. Comment on this quote by Conservative philosopher Joseph de Maistre.
13. Which factors explain the gradualism in the practice of socialist ideology?
14. Why are Conservatives so resistant to change?
15. Is nationalism an ideology?
16. Is conservatism an ideology?
17. Which value is more important for socialists: Equality or Fraternity? Why?
18. Is fascism a totalitarian ideology?
19. Is fascism a form of nationalism?
20. American conservatism differs in many ways from traditional conservatism. Explain those differences.
21. ‘The personal is the political'. Explain this feminist axiom.
22. Compare and contrast liberal feminism with radical feminism.
23. Critically assess Marx's theory of historical evolution.
24. Explain the differences between ‘environmentalism' and ‘ecologism' in Green ideologies.
25. To what extent, if any, have Green ideologies been successful at influencing contemporary politics?
26. To what extent was the Soviet experience a faithful application of Marxist theories?
27. What is the moral basis of an anarchist society?
28. Is anarchism a synonym of disorder?
29. In what ways, if any, is socialism (following the Second International) different from Marxism Communism?
30. Which factors explain the rise of populism in Europe and the United States?
31. Is populism a threat to democracy?
32. Is populism an ideology?
Structure of the Essay:
First paragraph - In the first paragraph you must answer the essay question and you should present your argument. You should also explain how you are going to demonstrate it. A typical formula is: ‘This essay argues that the House of Commons became a dignified part of the constitution. By this I mean.... I will demonstrate this argument by analysing the dominant role of the executive in controlling the legislative process" or ‘Equality is a core concept of socialism because...'.
Body of the Essay - In the body of the essay you examine the literature that deals with your topic. You will explain and analyse the different theories, arguments and evidence that support your argument, but you also need to acknowledge, explain and analyse challenges or criticisms to your argument. In other words, you need to examine the arguments "pro" and "anti" and assess how solid, plausible or weak they are.
Conclusion - in the conclusion you will reassert your argument again and you will briefly reappraise the different theories, arguments and evidence that you've examined. Recognize the limitations of your argument and point, if possible, to a future area of investigation.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also Include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.