politics and poverty

In this paper, you will reflect on what we have learned so far in the course. You have the choice of responding to one of two themes: (a) Why do we have poverty in the United States? Discuss the links between our politics and poverty. How do the features of our democracy contribute to the divide between rich and poor? (b) Slavery ended over 150 years ago, but in many ways the effects of slavery are still felt in the today. How do public policies affect racial inequalities in the United States? In what ways do our political institutions reinforce economic and social divisions between black Americans and white Americans?    You will be graded, in part, on your ability to use evidence (from class materials), the strength of your analysis and argument, your ability to organize your argument in a coherent way, and your ability to properly cite sources and format the paper. (You can choose whatever style you like, but please be consistent and use in text citations). You should also include a works cited page that lists the sources you used. You can use in class sources exclusively if you like, but you are free to use external sources as well, although you are not required to do so. The paper should be double-spaced, with pages numbered, it should have a title, and it should be at least five pages in length, not counting the works cited page.