Question
POSCI 2: Introduction to Comparative Politics (online) Midterm Exam
Directions
Your midterm exam will consist of one essay question (from a choice of two) and will cover the material we have studied thus far. This is an open-note (but closed colleague) exam, and all work must be your own. You are required to integrate course materials in your response. You are also encouraged to draw on credible outside sources to supplement your answers, though these are not required for successful completion of the exam. Your answer must state your thesis.
The following essay prompts will enable you to demonstrate your understanding of the theoretical concepts and past and present realities in topics in comparative politics. Your conclusions should follow logically from the information you have presented in your essay. Any quotations, specific information, and ideas drawn from outside sources (include course materials) must be cited and referenced in APA format or some other standard citation format.
Your essay should be approximately 1,000-1,500 words in length, not including references. It should be double-spaced, with 1-inch margins, and in a standard 12-point font.
Be sure your essay includes an introduction, body, and conclusion. Cite sources and provide proper references. As you compose your work, save it frequently. Be sure to check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors before you upload it; the writing quality and polish in your submitted essays counts. Be sure to submit your essay exam in one document and place it in correct dropbox in Canvas.
Your essay will be graded on a 100-point scale. Your essay will be evaluated based on evidence of critical thinking and analysis, integration of course concepts, evidence of mastery of course concepts, accuracy of the information provided, essay organization, and quality of writing (including proper citation of sources).
Note: Any plagiarized essays will result in an ‘F’ for the assignment.
Essay 1
Comparativists have long debated how to measure state strength. How would you define a strong versus weak state, and what are some ways to measure state strength? Explain how you would collect data on state strength if you were to go “into the field” and determine whether a country has a strong state. Apply your ideas to at least two country cases. Present your ideas and argument in an essay of approximately 1,000-1,500 words. Cite course readings and outside sources as appropriate.
Essay 2
California has become an independent country! As a knowledgeable and thoughtful citizen of this new country, you have been called in to advise on the kind of democratic institutions the government should have. First, would you allow referenda or initiatives? What are they, and why would you be in favor or against allowing them? Second, propose a legislative-executive system (or “model of democracy”) and electoral system for California’s new democracy. In your recommendations, point out some advantages and disadvantages of each system that you recommend. Comment on why you recommend your chosen democratic institutions over alternatives. Cite real-world country examples of these systems, either positive or negative, as evidence in support of your recommendations. Present your ideas and argument in an essay of approximately 1,000-1,500 words. Cite course readings and outside sources as appropriate.
Solution
Essay 1
State Strength
The state is a human community distinguished from other social groups through its function and purpose of establishing and enforcing order and security, methods, laws within a given territory through its sovereignty. State strength has long been regarded as a significant factor especially in guaranteeing democratic consolidation, adequate provision of basic public goods, economic growth, and the rule of law. This paper will focus on these dimensions to discuss the measurement of state strength that can be used in categorizing states as either weak or strong states.
At first, a strong state is defined as a state that has a strong control of its territory, claim of monopoly and legitimacy in the use of violence, ability to implement legitimate authority to make various decisions, and ability to provide public services. On the other hand, a weak state is a state with an ineffective central government that has little control over its territory, lacks the ability to provide public services, and has significant gaps in legitimacy, performance, and security. Additionally, various dimensions can be used to measure state strengths. Of interest, state strength can be assessed through the state’s relations with social actors to determine its autonomy, societal and special reach to determine its capacity, and through determining whether institutions within a state are inclusive or extractive. The higher the state capacity the stronger the state. Similarly, the high the state autonomy the stronger the state. Lastly, states with inclusive institutions are likely to be more success thus they are stronger …………for help with this assignment contact us via Email Address: consulttutor10@gmail.com