Comparative Politics First Term Essay Assignment-

Answer one of the questions in essay format complete with a separate cover page and list of references. The essay must be at least 7 pages long, and no longer than 8 pages.

You are expected to do your own research and provide references for any factual information used to support your arguments. You are also expected to use no less than 6 sources in your essay. These sources must come from scholarly journals, published books, or anything of an equivalent legitimacy (NO WIKIPEDIA!!). You may use your textbooks or lecture notes if desired; however they will not count towards your 6 required sources. You can use any writing and citation style, so long as it is concise and includes the necessary information.

Your own unique contribution to the essay is essential. Do not simply quote passages from the reading material or provide a descriptive summary of the literature. Exclaim to the reader what YOU think by how you present your argument, and then use the material to back up your arguments.

Questions:

1. Why are there so many gun homicides (and gun violence in general) in the United States compared to other developed democracies? What possible explanations are there?

2. Are economic conditions for a society linked with the emergence of democracies and non-democracies?

3. Is Russia a democracy under the Putin regime?

4. Why has forcing democracy worked in some situations (such as Japan), but not in others (such as Iraq)? What does this say about the ability to spread democracy elsewhere?

5. Is proportional representation the way to go? Explain why democracies should or should not pursue its inclusion over others.

6. Why is terrorism so difficult to define? Examine the nuances in providing such a definition, the debates surrounding the study of terrorism, and why so many preeminent specialists on this topic continue to disagree.

7. Are democratic regimes inherently less likely to commit genocide at home or abroad?

8. Is it realistic to think that all genocides can be prevented or suppressed?