Assignment - Issue Analysis
Description: The course ultimately aims to educate about national politics, governance, and procedures, it is also important that each student be able to analyze and understand the current struggles and various programs and policies facing the nation. In accordance with this goal an analysis will be performed on one national policy or program, of your choice. The paper must take an issue facing the nation, analyze it fully, using the knowledge you have gained in the course and your personal research on the topic The paper needs to demonstrate your knowledge of politics and processes and should include political theory, approaches, and terms that we have learned to analyze the problem and answer all prompts listed below.
Example topic: Social Security; spending for Social Security is climbing while benefits and contributions are declining.
1. What is the area in which the issue occurs and what is the problem specifically?
2. What are states doing in this area (analysis and or highlights of "model" or innovative states)?
2a what success have they had?
2b what failures have they had?
2c what, if any, problems arise from the Federal structure?
3. What are the issues/problems?
4. What solutions have been offered or proposed and how have they been proposed -legislation, initiative, referendum, etc.
5. In your view, how should the national government improve in this area?