Practical Application Instructions
Specifications: 12-point Times New Roman font 1-inch Margins
Single Space
At least 3 full pages (however long it needs to be) Page Numbers at the Bottom of Each Page
Provide a Title Page (does not count toward page requirement & do not number)
Expectations:
You are required to provide an analysis of the Themes discussed in class within the context of your policy issue. Your analysis needs to be concise and clearly demonstrate the linkage between these Themes and the issue. If need be, feel free to include quotes so that anyone can see the Theme in action.
There is no set rule as to how long each section of your paper will need to be. Each Theme is to be its own section. If you are unable to identify a particular Theme in your issue, do not force it. However, if you are unable to identify any of these Themes, you may want to read the article again or find additional articles on the issue. Only this time, have a critical eye out for that Theme. If you still are unable to find anything, simply write that "This theme is not present in this issue."
Sections and Specific Instructions:
Theme 1: Idealism vs. Realism
List the major political actors and explain the ways in which these actors embody the characteristics of an idealist or realist. If an actor changes as the issue progresses, explain this progression.
Possible Sub-Sections: Idealists, Realists, and/or Actor Evolution (i.e. those who change) Theme 2: Utopias, Theories, and Ideologies
Do any of the actors subscribe to any particular types of ideologies? Are there ideological themes acting as an undercurrent to the issue? Are there any expressed utopias? Are there any theoretical perspectives (those discussed in class) that act as an undercurrent to the issue?
Possible Sub-Sections: Ideologies, Theories, and/or Utopias Theme 3: Anarchy, Security, and Group Dynamics
Does the issue emphasize the need for the main actors to join together as the only way to succeed, stay safe, etc? Explain how this is plays out within the context of this Theme. To what extent to do anarchy and security play a central plot role in the issue? What are the power and authority structures within and between the actors? What are the group dynamics in play in the issue? Are there disputes over group membership, or what it means to be a member of the group? Is there a group conflict, and how does this influence group behaviors/associations?
Possible Sub-Sections: Group Dynamics, Power & Authority, Anarchy & Security
Theme 4: Controlling the Behavior of Individuals
Are there battles for leadership? How are leaders portrayed? How do leaders benefit from their positions of leadership? How do leaders maintain their power and/or establish legitimacy? Do they rely upon some form of panopticon (i.e. self-policing, atomization, peer policing, and/or preference falsification)? Is there any intra-group conflict, and does it help or hurt the group?
Possible Sub-Sections: Benefits and Drawbacks of Leadership, Maintaining Power/Legitimacy, Use of Panopticon, and Intra-Group Conflict
Theme 5: Rational Choice and the Need for Regulations
List some of the major actors and explain the ways in which these actors behave in their own self-interest. Were there any rules/regulations that were in place or created to prevent/encourage these behaviors? Are there any tragedy of the commons scenarios in play? Does the issue criticize or promote any particular economic system?
Possible Sub-Sections: Rational Actors, Tragedy of the Commons, and Economic Systems Theme 6: Structures and Institutions
What basic governmental structures play an important role in the issue? What is the purpose of these structures/institutions? Are they central to the issue? What type of governmental system is in place? Is the system portrayed positively or negatively, and why?
Possible Sub-Sections: Institutions, and System of Government Theme 7:
Institutions
Does the issue present an idealist perspective of governmental institutions? Which legislative system (i.e. presidential or parliamentary) is portrayed? Do these legislators/decision makers adopt a delegate or trustee position? Is there a shadow government? Is the chief executive (i.e. leader of the group/system of government) portrayed as the Head of State or as the Head of Government? How are bureaucratic institutions presented (both governmental and/or group)? Are they a necessary evil? Is their primary role the administration of rules, or the creation of rules?
Possible Sub-Sections: Idealist Perspective of Institutions, Legislature, Executive, Bureaucracy Theme 8: The Imperfections of Institutions
Does the issue present the realist perspective on governmental institutions? Are inefficiencies highlighted?
Possible Sub-Sections: Realist Perspective of Institutions, Institutions Gone Wrong
Theme 9: Courts and Law
Does the issue illustrate the difference between laws on the books and laws in action? Are symbols used to illustrate authority (not just of the legal system)? Are the functions of the court system highlighted (dispute resolution, policymaking, monitoring government)? Does the idea of trial and appellate courts (or their analogues) play out? Are the different types of legal systems apparent (civil, common, religious laws)? Do any final arbiters (i.e. judges or their analogous counterparts) express any particular form of jurisprudence? Does the issue explore the different types of law (private vs. public, criminal vs. civil, federal vs state, or international)?
Possible Sub-Headings: Law and Politics, Symbolism, Functions of the Courts, Trial and Appellate Courts, Legal Systems, Jurisprudence,
Types of Law
Theme 10: The Democratic Ideal in Modern Society
Does the issue illustrate Arrow's Theorem? Are the ideals or problems associated with a direct or representative democracy explored? Does the underlying idea of a winner-take-all or a winner-take-their share system come into play? Does the idea of focusing on the median, or average, voter/person/stooge pop up?
Possible Sub-Headings: Arrow's Theorem, Direct and Representative Democracy, Winner-Take- All/Their Share, Median Voter Theorem
Theme 11: Media, Politics, and Government
Does the issue illustrate the idea of a mediated reality? Do the ideas underlying a cognitive framework present themselves (i.e. do people fool themselves)? Are actors manipulated due to their cognitive frameworks? Does the issue rely on the characteristics that outline the four components of a dramatic structure/imperative? Are elites portrayed as manipulating the system in their favor? Do the ideas underlying the mutual exploitation model or the cockroach theory of politics present themselves?
Possible Sub-Headings: Mediated Reality, Cognitive Framework, Dramatic Structure/Imperative, Elite Manipulation