Charlie Wilson's War is a recent movie starring Tom Hanks that does a nice job illustrating things like the complexity of foreign policy, the power of the bureaucracy (specfically the CIA), Congressional influence over foreign policy (particularly through the power of the appropriations process and Congressional oversight) and the role private interest groups- even individuals- can play in shaping American foreign policy. A couple of other angels to watch for: the role of covert ops as a type of hard power, the desire by foreign governments to get their hands on U.S. military hardware, the ever present need to play politics...
Here's a review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-3IZnB9HiY
(Part 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmA0b2j2c2Q&feature=related
(Part 2)
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Test 3
Test 3
This test is worth 10% of your final grade. We discussed this material during our lectures and most it can be found in your notes. You may need to research some of these on the web. Remember, google is your friend. Your test is due next Wed. (April 15th). Feel free to email me should you have any questions.
Test Questions:
America’s form of government is bicameral Government. Describe in detail what that means and how it works.
How often are Senators and Reps elected? How does this impact on our political system?
There are significant differences between the two chambers of Congress, the House and the Senate. Describe some of these and how they affect our political process.
What is Redistricting and how does it affect our political system?
What is the political significance of Marbury v. Madison and Judicial Review?
This is a difficult question, but I want you to try to describe the following concept: Before a case can be heard in U.S. Courts there must be a “case and controversy” and the plaintiff, that is the party that’s filing suit, must have “standing.” Describe these concepts to the best of your ability.
What are legal precedents and what is their importance?
What is the power of the bully pulpit? Which branch generally is said to hold this power?
What are “non-justiciable” cases?
Essay: Miss Doe has arrived in Congress as a member of the House of Representatives. She’s hired you, her former campaign manager, to help her get her first bill through Congress. This bill would read as follows: THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WILL IMMEDIATELY DEPLOY ALL TROOPS STATIONED IN IRAQ BACK TO THE UNITED STATES. She asks you to prepare her a memo telling her about the different branches of government, Executive, Legislative and Supreme Court, as well as the bureaucracy, and how these could affect her bill. Tell me, in your words, what are some of the things she should be aware of with respect to each of the four.
This test is worth 10% of your final grade. We discussed this material during our lectures and most it can be found in your notes. You may need to research some of these on the web. Remember, google is your friend. Your test is due next Wed. (April 15th). Feel free to email me should you have any questions.
Test Questions:
America’s form of government is bicameral Government. Describe in detail what that means and how it works.
How often are Senators and Reps elected? How does this impact on our political system?
There are significant differences between the two chambers of Congress, the House and the Senate. Describe some of these and how they affect our political process.
What is Redistricting and how does it affect our political system?
What is the political significance of Marbury v. Madison and Judicial Review?
This is a difficult question, but I want you to try to describe the following concept: Before a case can be heard in U.S. Courts there must be a “case and controversy” and the plaintiff, that is the party that’s filing suit, must have “standing.” Describe these concepts to the best of your ability.
What are legal precedents and what is their importance?
What is the power of the bully pulpit? Which branch generally is said to hold this power?
What are “non-justiciable” cases?
Essay: Miss Doe has arrived in Congress as a member of the House of Representatives. She’s hired you, her former campaign manager, to help her get her first bill through Congress. This bill would read as follows: THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WILL IMMEDIATELY DEPLOY ALL TROOPS STATIONED IN IRAQ BACK TO THE UNITED STATES. She asks you to prepare her a memo telling her about the different branches of government, Executive, Legislative and Supreme Court, as well as the bureaucracy, and how these could affect her bill. Tell me, in your words, what are some of the things she should be aware of with respect to each of the four.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Next Test II
FYI... see this link about your test. You'll print these on this site and I just invited all of you to become bloggers here:
http://newcitywestliberty.blogspot.com/2009/03/blogger-invitations.html
http://newcitywestliberty.blogspot.com/2009/03/blogger-invitations.html
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Congress is Like a Whiskey Drinker....
"CONGRESS IS LIKE A whiskey drinker," President Lyndon Johnson once observed. "You can put an awful lot of whiskey into a man if you just let him sip it," he said. "But if you try to force the whole bottle down his throat at one time, he'll throw it up."The 36th president and former Senate majority leader was referring to Congress's ability to produce legislative outcomes -- too much activity inebriates the system.
Next Test
Your next test will consist of a single essay answer to the following question:
1. West Liberty is participating in a project known as the New Cities Institute initiative. At the end of this process, leading citizens of the community will come together and decide on a course of action… a plan… on how to make the community a “New City.” The plans might include economic development proposals, recreation ideas, etc. Using the political linkages of the policy pyramid, analyze how this process might work.
1. West Liberty is participating in a project known as the New Cities Institute initiative. At the end of this process, leading citizens of the community will come together and decide on a course of action… a plan… on how to make the community a “New City.” The plans might include economic development proposals, recreation ideas, etc. Using the political linkages of the policy pyramid, analyze how this process might work.
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