political science Uploaded NEED bibliography page AND title page (CHECK SAMPLE) 1.Select a topic in the form of a question from the list of approved topics provided. Be sure to list your topic/question at the top of page 1 and do not change it in any w

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political science

Uploaded

NEED bibliography page AND title page (CHECK SAMPLE) 1.Select a topic in the form of a question from the list of approved topics provided. Be sure to list your topic/question at the top of page 1 and do not change it in any way. 2. List on page 1, the 5 strongest pros (in complete sentence form) to your question/topic. 3. List on page 1, the 5 strongest cons (in complete sentence form) to your question/topic. 4. On pages 3-4, elaborate and discuss key pros and cons identified on pages 1. 5. Defend and support your position, pro or con, on your paper’s question/topic, on p. 5. Your conclusions should be one-full page long. Shortened conclusions will lose points. 6. Your paper must be 5-pages long, not including, endnote , cover, & work-cited or page. 7. Endnotes, not footnotes or in-text notes must be used. Examples of endnotes are found in the sample paper posted online that will be posted online shortly. 8. A Notes and Bibliography page must be added to your 5-page paper. A sample of both are included in the sample paper(s) posted on blackboard. Your bibliography (which is distinctly different from your endnotes page) must include at least ten sources. 9. Website information can be found in the sample paper posted online. 10. All pages must be numbered and stapled. Your paper will lose points without these. 11. The topics/questions must NOT be modified or changed without prior permission. 12. All pages must be type-written and double spaced, using 12 point font. 13. All major writing styles are acceptable. Please do not use Wikipedia or Webster. 14. A well-written paper that uses good grammar is required. 15. No electronic submissions please. Only hard copies of the paper will be accepted. 16. All papers must be submitted on or before the due date. 18.Well-documented papers that make use of endnotes are required. 17. Papers that fail to include the above requirements depending on the seriousness of the omission(s) will either be returned to the student or lose valuable points from its score.

1

Placeyour Name here

Should The U.S. Build A Missile Defense System? (10 a.m. or 2 p.m. class)

PRO: Yes, the U.S. should build a missile defense system because…

• The missile defense system may discourage terrorist nations from even trying to develop nuclear weapons.
• “Irresponsible nations” continue to break international laws and seek nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons.
• Iran is leading the way with its nuclear development and hiding its findings from the IAEA.
• The threat of attack from other countries against America and American interests are growing.
• The nuclear proliferation and ballistic missile trend shows that countries are only increasing armaments.

CON: No the U.S. should NOT build a missile defense system because…

• The system has little chance of success against a massive scale attack or against a terrorist strike.
• Physicists largely agree that the technology to build effective national missile defense does not exist.
• History has shown countries rarely use weapons of mass destruction unless for fear factors/psychological warfare.
• The money could be used for better issues such as fighting poverty, improving education
• Our efforts will continually be matched by other countries.

Some people might consider the strongest reason for supporting missile defense is that it discourages terrorist nations from developing nuclear armaments. Joe Messerli, http://www.balancedpolitics.org/missile_defense.htm The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty was developed to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction, including nukes. However, such countries like North Korea haven’t followed the treaty enacted March 5, 1970. With the amount of time, effort and economic funds needed to develop nuclear warfare many experts believe a missile defense system would neutralize any attempts at missile attacks on the country. Ibid J Messerli, balancedpolitics.org If the system is developed our national security may become a little safer against those who intend to seek harm on our way of life.

On July 25, 2000, former Secretary of Defense William Cohen stated that “North Korea was continuing with ground testing and could break its moratorium and begin flight testing of an intercontinental range Taepo-Dong-2 missile at anytime, with deployment in the next few years. Gary Brown & Gary Klintworth, http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/rp/2000-01/01RP16htm This statement concerned American leaders because other “irresponsible nations” could follow their lead and try to acquire chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons making our challenge of national protection even harder to sustain. Mary Cooper, http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2000090800&type=hitlist&num=0 The issue is those states of concern in question: Iran, Iraq, and Libya among others are receiving parts from Korea. A national missile defense could be established to ensure when diplomacy fails our back up plan will protect our country’s borders.

Another reason the U.S should pursue missile defense is because the country of Iran is making headway with its suspicious nuclear development and seemingly hiding its findings from the IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran is probably one of the most troubling countries that American security must deal with. It has ties with terrorism, “enmity with the U.S,” and involvement with Afghanistan and in Iraq. Peter Brookes, http://www.hoover.org/publications/policy-review/article/5725 New intelligence has been building up arguing that Iran’s nuclear prospects are anything but the claimed peaceful means that the country has been pushing at the world. Even the IAEA which released a 9 page report on Iran’s nuclear prospects shifted its view from proving that Iran does have a nuclear weapons program to having to prove that they don’t have one. Ibid P Brookes, hoover.org The news concerned many leaders of the world because if they were truly using the nuclear power to fuel military purposes it would be a clear defiance of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The mounting evidence, suspicions, and lack of cooperation has led the world to wonder what exactly is happening in Iran and if in fact they are developing a nuclear arsenal, the United States could be one of its first targets.

Last but not least, “there are presently over 1000 Russian missiles and 6000 warheads in an unknown state of repair, all capable of targeting US cities. China has just 20-30 missiles and the same number of warheads.” Ibid G Brown & G Klintworth, aph.gov.au This startling statistic shows the vast amount of military preparedness for most of our current allies. The U.S does not believe these communist countries would attack us; however, Russian missile tests have accidentally landed too close for comfort. Ibid G Brown & G Klintworth, aph.gov.au Currently, if these missiles do reach us by unauthorized launch or on accident, the U.S would have no way to stop them from hitting us. According to William Cohen, “there are two dozen countries that have developed or are developing weapons of mass destruction;” knowing this, the U.S may have to intervene in crises around the world as a roundabout way to defend our nation and its allies. These are just a few of the examples why the U.S should have missile defense.

Others have stated that we shouldn’t have a missile defense. The number one reason most have stated is the fact that the system would have a limited chance of success against a widespread attack. Ibid J Messerli, balancedpolitics.org A missile from Cuba could take 5 minutes to deploy and target Washington, D.C. Missiles from China and Russia would most likely be cast in the hundreds and nuclear attacks from terrorists would most likely be set off inside our country. The missile defense would be strained to the limit to defend us from these different scenarios. Even if we could prevent the missile launches we would still have the aftermath of debris and radiation to handle in our U.S states and regions.

Another reason missile defense is not likely nor achievable is the belief that the technology to create such a program does not exist. Timothy Snyder & Philip Snyder, http://www.csmonitor.com/2001/0202/p11s2.html It is easier to send a missile into the air than it is to shoot one down, flying at a ground based target. The technicalities of the venture would have to defy physics and would only provide a false sense of security to the American people. History has also proven that in most cases the use of missiles and nuclear warfare were only used as a fear and psychological tactic against other countries such as North Korea and the United States. Philip Coyle & Victoria Samson, http://www.carnegiecouncil.org/resources/journal/22_1/special_report/001.htm Because of the threat from each nation retaliating on one another the nuclear and missile threat is limited for the safety of each nation involved. Joe Biden, http://nuclearfiles.org/menu/key-issues/missile-defense/history/opposing-missile-defense-act.htm

The U.S should not have a missile defense program because the invested money could be used for better issues such as fighting poverty, and improving education. Ibid J Messerli, balancedpolitics.org The cost of the missile defense projects could one day exceed over trillions of dollars. Our education is, in some eyes, below a world average and adding money to the educational system which in turn could help fight nationwide poverty. The money invested could also be used in medical means by supporting cancer research, aids research and adding to the quality of medicine provided in the United States today.

Last but not least the U.S should not have a missile defense program because our efforts will continually be matched by other countries. Not only will our allies be weakened by our missile defense strategies, our enemies will rise against the challenge and build more missiles and nukes to prevent assumed attacks on their lands. With missile defense in place, enemies become uncontrollable threats, allies lack support and the world would be full of nuclear weapons able to launch at anyone at any time making any peace keeping missions obsolete. Ibid T Snyder & P Snyder,
www.csmonitor.com

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Biden, Joe. “Opposing the National Defense Act.” Nuclear age peace foundation. Washington, D.C. 16 Mar. 1999. Web. 10 Oct. 2010. .
Brookes, Peter. “The Need for Missile Defense.” The Hoover Digest 1 Oct. 2008, 151 ed. Web. 10 Oct. 2010. .
Brown, Gary, and Gary Klintworth. “The US National Missile Defense Program: Vital Shield or Modern-Day Maginot Line?.” Parliament of Australia Parliamentary Library. N.p., 5 Dec. 2000. Web. 10 Oct. 2010. .
Cooper, Mary H. “Missile Defense: Should the U.S build a missile defense system?” C.Q Researcher 10.30 (2000). Web. 17 Oct. 2010. .
Coyle, Philip, and Victoria Samson. “Missile Defense Malfunction: Why the Proposed U.S. Missile Defenses in Europe Will Not Work.” Ethics & International Affairs 22.1 (2008). Web. 10 Oct. 2010. .
“Decoy fails to deploy, but missile test .” CNN News. CNN, 5 Dec. 2008. Web. 10 Oct. 2010. .
Lewis, George N., and Theodore A. Postol. “A Flawed and Dangerous U.S. Missile Defense Plan.” Arms Control Today May 2010. Web. 10 Oct. 2010. .
Messerli, Joe. Should the U.S. Continue to Fund the SDI Anti-Nuclear Missile Defense System?. N.p., 6 Nov. 2007. Web. 10 Oct. 2010. .
Snyder, Timothy, and Philip Snyder. “Why missile defense is a bad idea.” The Christian Science Monitor 2 Feb. 2001. Web. 10 Oct. 2010. .
Trenin, Dmitri. “Missile Defense Could Be the Silver Bullet.” The Moscow Times 3 Nov. 2009, 4500 ed. Web. 10 Oct. 2010. .

In light of the evidence, the United States of America should build a missile defense system. It would be beneficial for the U.S to pursue missile defense as a deterrent against terrorist nations. The nations that continue to go against the sanctions on nuclear development like Iran are never going to stop supposed secret operations creating the WMD’s the United Nations fear exist. This has been proven by the lack of obedience North Korea has shown with its testing of missile launches such as the Taepo-Dong-2. The media has been spreading fear about terrorist nations stemming from Iraq and Afghanistan having terrorist clans centered in other parts of the world. This is an unwelcomed issue knowing that at any moment our nation could be attacked and we would have no feasible means to defend ourselves from launches of any type. These attacks are solely targeting American and American interests because of a hidden government agenda.
Even though the cost to develop missile defense could be immense, I believe that overall the benefits would outweigh the costs. Our country has the right to defend itself against enemies both foreign and domestic using whatever means necessary to keep the country and its inhabitants safe. One thing remains true: Our military technology and the hearts of our soldiers on the battlefield and any battlefield in existence have rarely ever been matched in strength, power, courage, or prowess. Missile defense would only add to the might of our already powerful military force.

NOTES

Spring 2012 S. Rashid

Research Paper Guidelines

Issues of Our Times –International

PS 105

The research paper will be graded on the basis of the following 3 criteria. (1) The degree to which the paper offers a compelling argument, in the view of the instructor, (2) The extent to which the paper adheres to the written guidelines specified below, and (3) the quality of writing displayed in the paper.

The first criterion, the degree to which the paper offers a compelling argument will be measured by the logic of the arguments presented, the strength of the evidence provided, and the quality and quantity of the research materials used. The second and third criteria will be measured by the degree to which the paper adheres to the guidelines listed below. All papers must be submitted on time. Late papers will be penalized 30 points.

1.Select a topic in the form of a question from the list of approved topics provided.

Be sure to list your topic/question at the top of page 1 and do not change it in any way.

2. List on page 1, the 5 strongest pros (in complete sentence form) to your question/topic.

3. List on page 1, the 5 strongest cons (in complete sentence form) to your question/topic.

4. On pages 3-4, elaborate and discuss key pros and cons identified on pages 1.

5. Defend and support your position, pro or con, on your paper’s question/topic, on p. 5.

Your conclusions should be one-full page long. Shortened conclusions will lose points.

6. Your paper must be 5-pages long, not including, endnote , cover, & work-cited or page.

7. Endnotes, not footnotes or in-text notes must be used. Examples of endnotes are found in the sample paper posted online that will be posted online shortly.

8. A Notes and Bibliography page must be added to your 5-page paper. A sample of both are included in the sample paper(s) posted on blackboard. Your bibliography (which is distinctly different from your endnotes page) must include at least ten sources.

9. Website information can be found in the sample paper posted online.

10. All pages must be numbered and stapled. Your paper will lose points without these.

11. The topics/questions must NOT be modified or changed without prior permission.

12. All pages must be type-written and double spaced, using 12 point font.

13. All major writing styles are acceptable. Please do not use Wikipedia or Webster.

14. A well-written paper that uses good grammar is required.

15. No electronic submissions please. Only hard copies of the paper will be accepted.

16. All papers must be submitted on or before the due date.

18.Well-documented papers that make use of endnotes are required.

17. Papers that fail to include the above requirements depending on the seriousness of the omission(s) will either be returned to the student or lose valuable points from its score.

Papers that adhere to all of the above will receive an “A.” Those that do not will lose points.

4

Spring 2012 S. Rashid

Approved Research Paper Topics

Issues of Our Times –International

PS 105, Section 001, meeting MWF at 10:00 a.m.

Please select in rank order your top five choices using the numbers to the left of the topic. Please identify your choices by number only, for example #3, #5, #7, #8 and #4.

5. Should the government continue repatriating (i.e., returning) Guantánamo detainees to

other countrie?

7. Given the country’s history, is it possible for an outside power to win in Afghanistan?

9. Is democracy taking root in Iraq?

12. Is Democracy on the decline in Latin America?

13. Is democracy making gains in Asia?

14.Did the U.S. succeed in achieving its goals in its occupation of Iraq?

16. Would increasing U.S. economic aid in the [Middle East] region diminish

support for terrorism and anti-American sentiment?

18. With the decline of Fidel Castro, will Castro’s influence endure in Latin America?

20. Is Hugo Chavez a visionary leader or a destructive demagogue?

21. Are Latin Americans growing more anti-American?

23. As the free trade agreement known as NAFTA been a success for the U.S.?

24. Should the U.S. discard President Bush’s Doctrine of preventative war?

25. Are parts of the U.S.A. Patriot Act unconstitutional?

26. Is the government misusing the U.S.A. Patriot Act to promote its own political agenda?

27. Is the non-proliferation treat still an effective shield against the spread of nuclear

weapons?

28. Is the U.S. Doing Enough to halt nuclear proliferation? What more can be done?

29. Should non-proliferation policy aim to eliminate all nuclear weapons?

31. Does Free trade hurt people in the third world?

32. Is Osma bin Laden alone responsible for Islamic extremism or are other factors

responsible for this international phenomenon

33. Is massive aid the best strategy for saving Africa?

34. Can Jeffrey Sachs End Global Poverty?

36. In a world of finite energy supplies, does China threaten U.S. Energy supplies?

37. Is China a military threat to the U.S. or its Southeast Asian allies?

38. Does China present a technological challenge to the U.S.?

39. Is India’s commitment to secularism and pluralism waning?

40. Should India have a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council?

43. Is U.S. support for Israel the main obstacle to peace in the Middle East?

44. Are the West and Russia heading for a new Cold War?

45.Is Russia on an inevitable collision course with the U.S.?

46. Is western style democracy possible in Russia?

47. Can Barack Obama deliver the change (in foreign policy) he promises?

48. Is President Obama on the right track in Afghanistan?

49. Should Congress and the President create a commission to investigate the Bush

administration’s counter-terrorism policies?

52. Could the North Korean crisis spark another Korean War?

53. Does North Korea’s nuclear program pose an immediate threat to the U.S.?

54. Should the U.S. go to war with Iran to keep it from acquiring nuclear weapons?

58.Is U.S. leadership and political influence on the decline?

60. Are the U.S. and U.N. doing all they can do to assist and protect the victims from the largely overseas practice of FGM (female genital mutilation)?

61.Should the U.S. attack Yemen in response to the Christmas Day bomber?

62.Is the idea of American Exceptionalism a myth or a truism?

64.Is the U.S. over-reacting to the threat of terrorism in light of the Christmas Bomber?

65.Are politicians playing politics with national security?

66.Does Wal-mart drive down wages and encourage U.S. firms to relocate abroad?

67.Is Wal-mart a net asset or a net liability to U.S. workers?

68.Was Standard & Poors justified in lowering the U.S.’ Credit Rating?

71.Are there lessons the U.S. might learn from domestic violence against government policies in Europe?

72.Was Benjamin Franklin correct to note that those who would trade a measure of liberty for a measure of security deserves neither?

73.Is the Obama Administration’s Strategy in Iraq realistic?

74.Was the Obama administration’s strategy in Libya a model of success?

75.Is the Obama administration’s strategy in Afghanistan realistic?

76.Is it entirely within the U.S. President’s power to fix the U.S.’ current economic

problems?

77.Does the U.S. pursue double standards in its foreign policy stance overseas?

78.Can U.S. foreign policy be guided by a single set of broad principals like democracy?

81.Is Mr. Finklestein correct in alleging that the holocaust is used to cover-up the

the state of Israel’s unjust treatment of the Palestinian people?

82.Is the case of former IMF Director, D.S. Khan’s, alleged abuse of hotel maid Ms. Diallo

primarilyof case of sexism and classism, or do other factors better explain this event.

87.Is George Santayana correct in the claim that “he who ignores the lessons of history

shall be doomed to relive the past”?

89.Is the U.N. a serious threat to U.S. independence?

90.Should the U.S. abandon its resistance to ratifying the International Criminal Court

(ICC) Treaty?

PLEASE NOTE

If none of the above topics is acceptable to the student, then the student will be responsible for identifying an alternative topic not listed above. Alternative topics must take the form of a question that explores a controversial international issue of our times. Alternative topics must then be approved by the instructor before January 30, 2012. If this task is not completed by the student, the instructor will not be responsible for those who have not chosen a topic and gained the instructor’s approval before January 30, 2012, as required.