For this course, you will be asked to write a 5-7 page paper (typed, double-spaced, with a bibliography of cited sources) on one of the following three topics: A) Compare and contrast presidential and parliamentary systems of government for their key characteristics, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. 1) This analysis should include discussions of how different the two systems are, as well as point to any commonalities. 2) You must discuss at least one specific presidential (or semi-presidential) AND one specific parliamentary government (i.e. United Kingdom). 3) Draw some conclusions about which system is better on balance in your view, and justify your position. B) Examine the three major ideological forms of government in the 20th Century (authoritarianism, democracy, and communism) 1) Using specific examples of each (by looking at particular nations), why did that particular ideological form take hold? 2) Can anything be done to push authoritarian and communist countries towards democracy? Make sure to choose an authoritarian country which is NOT a communist state. C) In one particular country (please identify the country), examine a particular interest group, political party, terrorist organization, or other political organization active in current politics, in which you discuss: 1) What does the group or organization look like and how is it structured (including the leadership)? What are its goals? Primary issue area(s)? What kind of resources (ex. money) does it possess? 2) Who makes up its membership and/or target audience or constituency (group it serves)? 3) What is the history of its involvement in domestic politics? How influential do you think it is either domestically, regionally, or globally? What kind of potential does it have for involvement and influence in domestic or regional politics in the future?
