Thursday, May 27th, 2010
Read these four articles on the Crash of 2008-2009.
- Capitalist Manifesto, Zakaria (5 pages)
- Franklin Delano Obama, Krugman (1 page)
- FDR’s Lessons for Obama, Kennedy (2 pages)
- Barack Hoover Obama, Baker (9 pages)
All four authors are very highly regarded.
You should also read this “truly terrifying data about the real state of the U.S. economy“. If nothing else, take a few minutes to peruse the data tables (you will find such data useful when constructing your essay).
After you have read all of the articles you are to type a 1500 word (2 page, normal font and margins), single spaced essay which, in no particular order:
- assesses what the Obama administration has done hitherto
- evaluates historical precedents
- prescribes a solution for the Obama administration
- warns the Obama administration of potential pitfalls
- cites all sources given above but does not abuse quotes (no more than 10% of your essay can be quotes)
We will discuss your essays in class. Oh, and don’t be surprised if there is a multiple choice and matching quiz on all of the readings. Good luck.
Posted in USH: Post AP Ideas, USH: The Crash, Depression & New Deal | No Comments »
Monday, May 24th, 2010
The return of big government means that policymakers must grapple again with some basic questions. They are now even harder to answer…
Fifteen years ago it seemed that the great debate about the proper size and role of the state had been resolved. In Britain and America alike, Tony Blair and Bill Clinton pronounced the last rites of “the era of big government”. Privatising state-run companies was all the rage. The Washington consensus reigned supreme: persuade governments to put on “the golden straitjacket”, in Tom Friedman’s phrase, and prosperity would follow.
Today big government is back with a vengeance: not just as a brute fact, but as a vigorous ideology…
Read this comparative perspective arguing for smaller government. And respond to these questions.
Posted in AP Introductory Materials | No Comments »
Monday, May 24th, 2010
Slate’s stud political correspondent, John Dickerson, presents this five-part series on risk. I enjoyed following this piece. You might also.
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Monday, May 24th, 2010
In Tocqueville’s Discovery of America, Leo Damrosch, who teaches literature at Harvard, has seized an opportune moment to scratch the polished surface and explore what lay behind the oracular pronouncements. At a time when generalizations about the American soul seem risky at best, it is somehow reassuring to learn that even the great Tocqueville was often winging it—and that some of his direst fears have not come to pass…
Read on from Slate
Posted in USH: Constitution & Early Years | No Comments »
Friday, May 21st, 2010
Selections from the Economist’s 2010 Survey of Germany
Posted in German Gov: Economy | No Comments »
Friday, May 21st, 2010
Government spending has spiraled. See how much it has increased
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Friday, May 21st, 2010
A graphic illustrating who’s who in Cameron’s cabinet and in each government department
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Friday, May 21st, 2010
In the name of government transparency and accountability The Guardian offers the Aristotle program which allows the user to track the record of any given MP.
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Friday, May 21st, 2010
A whirlwind tour of the UK election campaign from Slate
Britain’s teeming but invisible average earners will decide the coming election. Neither David Cameron nor Gordon Brown seems to understand them. Read about the impact of class on the 2010 election and beyond.
A dynamic, interactive election results map from the BBC
A graph showing how a proportional representation system would have changed the general election result
A chart showing which political parties national newspapers have supported in every general election since 1945 – and who they are endorsing at the 2010 election
Bagehot offers his take on the effect that this election will have on Britons (“Farewell Free Stuff”)
A look into Labour’s Future
In “Learning How to Share” the Economist offers a comparative perspective on coalition governing.
UK General Election Assignment
Write a 1200 word (2 page), single-spaced, thesis driven essay due in response to the following questions:
- Describe: What happened in the May 6 general election and why?
- Analyze: What stands out as particularly interesting or anomalous in the election results?
- Evaluate: What do the results mean for the UK? What challenges might ensue from coalition rule?
You may use the articles given and/or you may do your own research. In either case, you must properly cite your essay and provide a works cited page (which does not count in the abovementioned word count).
You will present and defend your essay in class. I very much look forward to it.
Posted in AP Britain | No Comments »