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Essay Benefiting the public

Political Science:

Textbook:

 Magstadt, T. M. (2017). Understanding politics: Ideas, institutions, and issues. Australia: Cengage Learning 

Edition 12th

Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:

  • Textbook: Chapter 1, 2
  • Lesson
  • Minimum of 1 scholarly source

Instructions
One role of government is to ensure that policies benefit the people within their jurisdiction.

  • For local governments, it would be the townspeople or city dwellers.
  • For the state governments, it would be the people living within the state.
  • For the federal government, it would be everyone within the borders of the country.

Using an ideology discussed in the textbook, construct an argument explaining how this ideology upholds the public good by examining power, order, and justice.

Select an ideology discussed in the textbook. In an essay, examine how power, order, and justice as it relates to the ideology you choose promotes the public good.

Writing Requirements (APA format)

  • Length: 1.5-2 pages (not including title page or references page)
  • 1-inch margins
  • Double spaced
  • 12-point Times New Roman font
  • Title page
  • References page (minimum of 1 scholarly source and textbook/lesson)

Grading
This activity will be graded based on Week 1 Essay Grading Rubric.

Rubric

Week 1 Assignment: Essay – Benefiting the Public GoodWeek 1 Assignment: Essay – Benefiting the Public GoodCriteriaRatingsPtsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIdeology explanation20.0 ptsUses the ideology by name and discussed its founder while explaining the central features of the ideology.16.0 ptsName of ideology is used, but missing at least two central features without crediting the founder.12.0 ptsIdeology is not explained or all central features are missing.0.0 ptsIdealogy is not explained and all central features are missing20.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePower, order and justice20.0 ptsAddresses each concept—power, order, and justice—in relation to the ideology. Explains how the ideology keeps power, order, and justice intact.16.0 ptsAddresses at least two out of the three concepts. Doesn’t relate these concepts back to the ideology.12.0 ptsAddresses only one of the concepts. Does not relate these concepts to their ideology.0.0 ptsAddresses none of the concepts20.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePublic good20.0 ptsExplains how the public good is upheld through the ideology chosen. The argument is concise.16.0 ptsExplains how the public good is upheld through the ideology chosen. The argument is not concise.12.0 ptsIt is unclear how the public good is upheld or the public good doesn’t relate to the ideology.0.0 ptsDoes not address public good.20.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeScholarly resources10.0 ptsUses both the book and, at least, one outside scholarly source.8.0 ptsUses only the book or a scholarly source.6.0 ptsUses only a scholarly source and the source is not scholarly.0.0 ptsDoes not use the book or scholarly source.10.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAPA5.0 ptsAll sources are properly cited and referenced according to APA standards.4.0 ptsSources are either properly cited or referenced, missing one of those elements.3.0 ptsThe citation and/or reference are incorrect.0.0 ptsNo APA format was used.5.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting5.0 ptsPresents information using clear and concise language in an organized manner (minimal errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation).4.0 ptsPresents information using understandable language but is somewhat disorganized (some errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation).3.0 ptsPresents information using understandable language but is very disorganized (many errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation).0.0 ptsPresents information that is not clear, logical, professional or organized to the point that the reader has difficulty understanding the message (numerous errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and/or punctuation).5. 

Politics Discussion Question

Please watch the Congress video, review the text, and respond to the questions below:

After completing the questions, you will be posting your responses as your initial discussion post. This initial post is due no later than Friday at 11:59pm.  Students may NOT edit initial posts once posted.  Discussion scores will be based on the original post. 

Your initial post should be a minimum of 8 lines in length and be written in sentences (rather than just listing the letter, or a short phrase).

Before Sunday 11:59pm, please respond to two other classmates’ initial posts (not follow-up posts) for Question #5, Part 2, with meaningful responses that address the substance of their post. Each of these follow-up posts should be a minimum of 4 lines in length.

1. What type of service was former Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia talking about in this excerpt from a speech at Marshall University?

a. Casework

b. Patronage

c. Pork-barrel legislator

d. Franking

2. Which feature of congressional behavior is most evident in these remarks from former Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia?

a. Distributive tendency

b. Party discipline

c. Logrolling

d. Agency loss

3. The committee system of Congress features a set of organizational principles. Which one is most likely the root of the former West Virginia senator Byrd’s success in securing funding for his state?

a. Jurisdiction

b. Gatekeeping authority

c. Oversight

d. Seniority

4. In addition to the service activity performed by Senator Byrd, as illustrated in the video, identify/describe other forms of service activities that legislators perform for their constituents that are discussed in the text.

5. Former West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd highlights the length of time he spent on Capitol Hill. How does experience, or seniority, work in Congress, and how might it lead to success in the types of activities Byrd is describing here?

Part 2. Do you think this is a positive attribute of Congress? Why or why not? (You could also organize this into a pro/con of seniority system.)

U.S. Federal Bureaucracy and Public Policy Worksheet

Step 1: Completethe federal bureaucracy matrix to demonstrate how it influences the U.S. political system. IncludeAPA citations for all unoriginal ideas, facts, or definitions.

Elements of federal bureaucracy

In 100-250 words, explain each element, and discuss how it affects or influences the U.S. political system.

Civil servants

Government corporation

Cabinet departments

Independent regulatory agencies

Independent executive agencies

Merit system

Public administration

Spoils system

Privatization

Negotiated rulemaking

Step 2: Completethe public policy matrix to explain and the compare the main policy types.

Types of public policy

Explanation or definition

How is it the same or different from the other types of policy?

Example of the type of policy

Distributive policy

Regulatory policy

Redistributive policy