Political science

Transatlantic Relations in the 21st CenturyMr. Tommy SteinerFinal Paper AssignmentSubmission Date: Sunday, March 14, 2021, 09:00am (Israel Time)The final paper assignment makes up 100% of the final grade.Please read carefully the instructions below and write two of the following four essaysoutlined below in Hebrew or in English (50 points each).This assignment requires the submission of two originally and individually authoredessays of 1,200-1,500 words (each). Each essay should include a well-structured openingwith a thesis statement referring to the question. You should explain, substantiate, andsupport the thesis statement throughout by elaborating the main and relevant concepts,positions, historical processes, events, and examples, including those discussed in classand in the course readings.In these essays, you are not required to cite references, but the essays must be thepersonal and original work of the submitting student. Notwithstanding, students areallowed to work in groups on the assignment before beginning to write them, but eachstudent must write the assignment herself (or himself). Submitted assignments with verysimilar phrasing will be disqualified and could lead to disciplinary action. Furthermore, acompleted assignment shared with other students and used for the purpose of copying –will be disqualified. In addition, false reporting or presenting fabricated informationregarding an assignment and/or for the purpose of obtaining a postponement orexemption is aviolation of the disciplinary code. Violations will lead to disciplinary action.Please submit both essays in one WORD file (*.docx) via the Moodle system no later than09:00am on March 14. Do not upload any other type of file.There is only one submission date. There will be no extensions other than those approvedby the Students’ Secretariat. With regards to late submissions –• Assignment submitted up to one week after the original submission date will limit themaximum grade to 80 and the assignment will be graded on a scale of 0-80.• Assignments submitted later than a week after the original due date will beconsidered as not submitted.If you have any questions, you may contact Tommy ([email protected]). Please allowsufficient time to revert to you. Substantive questions regarding the assignment will notbe addressed in the final 24 hours before submission – other than urgent technicalmatters.Do Well !!!Essay #1“Had the United States and the EU devised and implemented a more effective strategy topromote peace, development and regional cooperation in the Middle East after the end ofthe Cold War, they could have prevented the turmoil and violence engulfing the Middle Eastsince the onset of the so-called “Arab Spring.” Discuss and opinionate. In your essay, explainthe main features (objectives, mechanisms, and outcomes) of Western engagement in theMiddle East in the post-Cold War era (1990-2010). Why did the EU and the US invest so manyresources in the Middle East? Why did these efforts fail? With the benefit of hindsight – whatcould have the EU and US done to prevent the regional turmoil?Essay #2The three main theoretical schools/paradigms of IR thought – Realism, Liberalism andConstructivism – offer different readings of the Atlantic Alliance (or community) and of thechallenges it faces. These readings reflect dissimilar explanations concerning the basicrationale and driving force of NATO and different expectations concerning its future. Forinstance, while Realists view NATO as an alliance, Liberals would focus their attention onNATO as an institution (some of them would also highlight the role of domestic politics).Constructivists, on their part, would pay attention to ideas and norms and view NATO as acommunity.This theoretical debate has “real world” implications: What do these different theoreticalperspectives tell us about the future of the Alliance and the continuing relevance of NATO inface of a resurgent Russia? Did Russia’s intervention in Ukraine and ongoing actions againstUkraine re-unite the Alliance or have they exposed different views and interests? Discuss andopinionate and refer also to NATO’s “Enhanced Forward Presence” mission. In your answer,explain the differences in the theoretical categorizations of NATO offered by the three schoolsof thought.Essay #3“Contrary to former President Trump’s repeated statements, Europe’s “burden sharing” hasactually improved. Many European allies have increased their defense spending towards the2% benchmark. The track record of NATO’s European allies’ role in, and contribution to, theWar in Afghanistan shows that European allies have played an increasing role. Actually, theratio of European troops in Afghanistan has increased since the end of combat operations inAfghanistan and the transition to “Resolute Support Mission.” In NATO’s current deploymentto Eastern Europe and the Baltics – “Enhanced Forward Presence”, European allies play amajor role too.” Opinionate and discuss. In your essay, assess Europe’s current “burdensharing” compared to previous periods – such as the Cold War and post-Cold War periods andoperations (Balkans – 1990s; Afghanistan 2004-2010). Has Europe’s “burden sharing”improved? Is Europe doing enough for its own defense?Essay #4The United States and Europe have been simply “out of sync” well before former PresidentTrump entered office and the change of guards in the White House will not make all thechallenges disappear. Since the beginning of the 21st Century, the United States and Europefind it increasingly difficult to respond to regional and global challenges in a coordinated andtimely manner – be it Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and its alleged interference in Westernelectoral politics, the rise of China, or the turmoil in the Middle East. What are the reasonsthat have brought the Transatlantic allies to this point? What are the likely drivers ofTransatlantic relations? Can Europe and the United States become once again “in sync”? Whatwould it take? In your essay, use current examples to substantiate your assessment.

Choose any 3 out of the 6 questions to answer1.Choose one of these clips. What are the justifications for war articulated by President Franklin Roosevelt, President Lyndon Johnson OR President George W. Bush?2.Given the goals of U.S. foreign policy, in a paragraph explain why “blowback” happens. Why people around the world object to U.S. foreign policy aims?3.Write a one paragraph letter either defending or attacking U.S. military spending. Use evidence from “U.S. Military Spending” and the video Why Does the U.S. Spend So Much on The Military.4.In a paragraph answer the following prompt: If you had been in congress during the Iran-Contra affair would have you supported impeaching President Reagan? Why or why not?5.Using evidence from the section “Economic Interests” and the video Árbenz & The CIA, Guatemala 1950s write a paragraph explaining the role you think economic interests should play in U.S. foreign policy.6.To protect state secrets, should the U.S. government still be using the Espionage Act to prosecute people like Edward Snowden? Why or why not? Use evidence from How WWI Changed America: Citizenship and WWI, NSA Whistleblower Edward Snowden and “The Role of the Public” in a one paragraph response.

Part 1:Discuss the political culture of Texas. Choose one region of Texas from the map attached  below:In the writing, answer these questions:- What are 3 demographic or historical attributes of your chosen region?- What are 3 political attributes of your chosen region?- How does the region compare to Texas as a whole, demographically and politically?- Pick a large city in the region and discuss whether the county where that city islocated voted the same or different from other parts of the region in the 2020presidential election.Part 2:What role did Texas play in the 2020 Presidential Election?In the writing, answer these questions:- Texas voter turnout in the presidential elections of 2008, 2012, and 2016 asexpressed in the percentage of voting-age individuals- Texas voter turnout in 2020, as expressed in the percentage of voting-ageindividuals- What was the percentage of votes cast in early voting vs. on November 3, and what thatthe percentage could mean for future elections?- What is your opinion about what a democratic presidential candidate would needto do in order to win Texas’s electoral votes? (Choose whatever!)Thank you in advance!

Prompt:- Evaluate the degree to which the distribution of power set up by the U.S. Constitution protects individual liberty and preserves popular sovereignty.Thesis:- Insightfully and accurately describes principles of power distribution (separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism), limited government, and popular sovereignty.Analysis:- Makes a compelling connection between principles of power distribution, limited government, liberty, and popular sovereignty.Evidence:- Effectively uses specific evidence to support a clear and coherent argument.Mechanics:- Is virtually free from errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics

Final AssignmentPOLITICAL VIOLENCE AND TERRORISM IN ISRAELDr. Sivan Hirsch-HoeflerGeneral Information: the main goal of the final assignment is to evaluate the level of understanding ofthe course materials, as well as to test the student’s capabilities of integration and application of thematerials to real life situations. The assignment must be done individually; assignments with similar rationale or structure will not be graded.Time-Frame: The assignment should be submitted to the course website by March 10th. We will notaccept any assignment that will be handed in past this deadline. Please write your I.D number on theassignment itself (do not write your name).Length of the Assignment: The general length of each answer should not exceed the limit of 1000words, double spacing, and font 12 (Times New Roman). In addition, it is recommended to add a coverpage and a list of references. Any deviation from this format will lead to the disqualification of theassignment.Format of Writing:§ The writing will follow the acceptable academic format – i.e., definitions of concepts, referencesto general theories, and references to previous empirical findings.You are not required to referto bibliographical items that are not included in the course’s reading list.§ The focus of this assignment is on the implementation of the general theories. You are requiredto provide a detailed theoretical and conceptual discussion and not to use only direct or indirectquotes from the course materials.Please select two of the following five topics. Each answer will form 50% of your overall grade.1. There are different ways in which people can make an effort to achieve social change. We havepaid particular attention to tactical repertoires. Read the articles below and review the types ofpolitical activities expressed in these articles.a) In your answer, discuss the main forms of political action, concepts [e.g., repertoire ofaction, political violence, terrorism], typology, and findings that have emerged throughoutour discussion on the prism through which repertoire of action is expressed.https://www.timesofisrael.com/25-settler-attacks-on-palestinians-reported-since-teen-died-inpolice-chase/)https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/hundreds-of-haredi-protesters-blocking-main-roads-injerusalem-652905http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7660628.stmhttp://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9511/rabin/index.htmlb) Sprinzak argues that we should distinguish between “violence of power” and “violence ofpowerlessness” and between “Intentional violence” and “unintentional violence”. Discussthese arguments and use two examples from the case studies we have studied during thecourse.c) Provide a recent case study from Israel that can demonstrate these arguments.2. Discuss existing tensions between religion and political violence. Does religion constitute theonly factor for political violence?a. Discuss the relationship between religion and different forms of political violence. In youranswer, relate to the cases we have discussed in class and to the conceptualizationobstacles.b. In your answer, discuss the role of religion in Israeli political life and the tension betweenJewish predominance and democracy in line with our class discussions.3. During the course, we have devoted much discussion to the process of radicalization and themotivations for political violence.a) Briefly describe and explain the factors involved in political violence. Choose twofactors/theories and illustrate how they are expressed in two case studies which were examinedduring the course.b) Please read the following article and explain the motivations for political violencehttps://www.israelhayom.com/2019/07/03/at-least-80-wounded-60-arrested-as-ethiopianisraeli-protests-turn-violent/4. During the course, we have devoted much discussion to the phenomenon of political violence.We have addressed conceptual and methodological issues about defining and assessing politicalviolence and avoiding the obstacles that have hindered previous research.a) Explain the difficulties involved in the use of the word “violence” and definitional problemsposed by the concept of political violence. Why does conceptualizing so important for theunderstanding of the phenomenon?b) Does support for political violence necessarily predicts violent behavior? Explain variousmethodological problems involved in the study of [Jewish] terrorism and political violencec) What are the different types and expressions of political violence? Show examples.d) Do forms of political violence change across historical periods?5. Does the exposure of citizens to missiles, incendiary balloons or kites, or other types of politicaviolence and terrorism, affect their political behavior?a) How does exposure to political violence affect civilians’ political attitudes and behavior,specifically radical political behavior? Give examples.b) Are citizens exposed to political violence to the same degree? In your answer, refer todifficulties in conceptualizing and in measuring the exposure to political violence.c) What are the psychological consequences of exposure to political violence? Give examples.Good luck!

-write a research report on a current environmental issue in Canada.B. Conducting the assignment:1.  Describe the environmental issue and explain why it is important, and if it is improving or getting worse.2. Describe how different levels of governments are dealing with the issue. What  is  the provincial/federal policy on the issue? Have municipalities been involved, and if so, how?Who has been involved in developing this policy (which ministry/interest groups)? Describe which policy instruments are used to address this issue at the various levels of government.3. Describe where the issue is most pressing in Canada (e.g., where its impacts are being felt, or where lack of a policy on the issue is having a negative impact in certain regions), who might be affected byenvironmental policies on this issue, and what their perspectives are.C. Assignment tips- Pick a specific environmental issue/challenge in a specific area. It will be much easier to complete this assignment if you select a specific environmental issue (ex. acid rain) in a specific jurisdiction or location (ex. Kejimkujik National Park) before you start researching and writing.

Thinking in terms of constitutional law and political reality as well as the historical record of federal-state relations, what is the current status of this relationship and what should it be in terms of both the Constitution and  the practical application of American governmental powers? Does the current implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) demonstrate strengths or weaknesses in America’s federal system of government? You also might want to consider the current debate over immigration reform. Which level of government is more responsible for immigration, the federal or the states, or is it a combination of both?

Conflict Analysis: Each student will provide a short report and briefing on a conflict—allocations to be determined in Session 2. This is not a book report, but rather it should at a minimum draw on the required and analyze readings in assembling an overview of a conflict and responses, highlights relevant debates, and pose questions for discussion. This assignment has two components: a briefing(15 minutes), and a report (1,000-1,500words). The report is to be emailed to me by 1 pm on the day of the class so that I may post it to Canvas.25% of the grade.

Follow requirements as written.  I am opposed to the Electoral College. Because Hilary Clinton won the popular vote, however, Trump received the Electoral College votes and won.  BAD choice. Please write to the Hilary Clinton & Trump election.

what is the most consequential internal issue facing the U.S military today and why?