COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT ASSIGNMENT  2000 - 2001       MR. ADDIE

 

 

Purpose - Your quarterly comparative government assignment will help develop an awareness of other government systems and provide an outline to use as a guide to prepare for the comparative government part of the AP government test in May.*(If you plan on taking the comparative government part of the AP government test, it is strongly recommended that you obtain a current  comparative government textbook that covers the seven countries required on the test to read and review throughout the year in addition to your quarterly comparative government assignment

Assignment - you will prepare a report each quarter according to the following guidelines:

 

Part I. - Country Profiles - 2 per quarter - for each country listed each quarter (see quarter assignment list below) Prepare a profile of that country that includes the following categories in this order:

A.      Constitution

B.       The Executive

C.       The Legislature

D.      The Judiciary

E.       Subnational Government

(Provide the essentials for each category)

F.       Format Requirements -

-Use an outline or bullet format -

-Minimum 1 page, maximum 2 pages for each country (print on both sides of paper)-

-Typed, single-spaced, 10-12 font, 1 inch margin all around -

-Sources listed at the end of each profile (no other documentation required)

SOURCES THAT MAY HELP:  (Donate useful sites for extra credit to add to this list)

www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/country.html

http://www.state.gov/www/background_notes/index.html

http://www.polisci.com/

http://www.hopkins.k12.mn.us/pages/high/Acad/ss/ApcompGov/compgp.html

http://www.library.ubc.ca/poli/compartind.html

www.gksoft.com/govt/en/world.html

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/cshome.html

http://members.aol.com/admlizkirk/index.htm

http://www.etown.edu/vl/

 

 

 

Part II - 2000 Comparative Essays - 1 per quarter (see quarter assignment list below)

For each quarter, provide the following for the assigned essay (essays are listed below)

 

-          Type the full question at the top of your answer page -

-          To answer the question, chose from the examples given under the scoring guidelines to help answer the applicable parts of the question - other parts of the question will require outside research -

-          You may type your answer in outline or bullet form BUT, you must explain the example chosen for each part of the question and follow the order and outline in the scoring guidelines for each answer -

-          Answers must be typed, 10-12 font, single spaced - 1 inch margin all around -

-          Minimum 1 page, maximum 2 pages (print on both sides of paper) -

-          List sources at the end of your answer (no other documentation required) -

 

ASSIGNMENT LIST BY QUARTER

 

1st Quarter - Due on or before  10/5(B)  10/6(G)

                COUNTRIES:  Russia and France                     AP QUESTION: 2000 Comparative Question #1

 

2nd Quarter - Due on or before 12/11(B)  12/12(G)

                COUNTRIES:  China and India                          AP QUESTION: 2000 Comparative Question #2

 

3rd Quarter - Due on or before 3/26(B)  3/27(G)

                COUNTRIES:  United Kingdom and Mexico   AP QUESTION: 2000 Comparative Question #3

 

4th Quarter - Due on or before 4/23(B)  4/24(G)     

                COUNTRIES:   Nigeria (only)                            AP QUESTION: 2000 Comparative Question #4

Assessment - a separate sheet is provided on the website listing criteria for assessing your assignment.  Use this as a guide in preparing your quarterly assignment.

 

General Grading -

-          the comparative government assignment counts 10% of each quarter's grade -

-          grading is based on a 100 pt scale (see assessment sheet) -

-          late assignments are marked down 15 pts per school day late (B and G days included)

REGARDLESS IF THE ABSENCE IS EXCUSED OR UNEXCUSED!  - plan ahead - the assignment is due on or BEFORE the dates listed above -

 

 

 

2000 Free-Response Questions

Comparative: Question 1

Identify and discuss two goals that a country hopes to achieve by establishing a presidential electoral system based on majority vote that requires runoff elections.  Both Russia and France have established such a system. Using specific evidence, explain whether each of these goals has been achieved in the following countries:

-          Russia since 1993

-          France since 1962

Comparative: Question 1 Scoring Guidelines

·          

·          

 

7 POINTS TOTAL

Identification of 2 goals: 1 point

A list of possible answers is below. This list is not exhaustive.

·         Political legitimacy

·         Popular mandate

·         Prevent electoral/institutional gridlock

·         Policy leadership

·         Independence from legislature

·         Stability

·         Strong executive

·         Inclusion of wide-range of parties

·         National unity

·         Building coalitions among the electorate

·         Increased political participation (turnout)

* Note: NO POINT IS AWARDED FOR IDENTIFICATION OF ONLY ONE GOAL

Discussion of each goal: One point each (2 points total)

Explanation of two goals in France: 1 point per explanation (2 points total)
Explanation of two goals in Russia: 1 point per explanation (2 points total)

* Note: Explanation of the two goals in France and in Russia must link to the presidential run-off system. An explanation must answer how and why the system achieves the goals.

* Note: Maximum points possible for an answer that identifies and discusses only one goal: 3.

* Note: Maximum points possible for an answer that discusses only one country: 5.

Lowest scores:

0

attempts to answer question but earns no points

—

blank or off task

 

 

2000 Free-Response Questions

Comparative: Question 2

The recruitment of political elites is important in any political system.

  1. Identify and discuss two factors that affect elite recruitment in both China and one of the following: India or Mexico or Nigeria. (must choose India for this assignment)

Is it easier to gain access into political elite membership in China or in one of the following:  India or Mexico or Nigeria? (Must choose India for this assignment)  Explain your answer, using the two factors you identified in (a) and your knowledge of the political systems of the countries.

Comparative: Question 2 Scoring Guidelines

6 POINTS TOTAL

a.

1 point for identifying two factors
1 point for each discussion of the two identified factors (2 points total)
3 points total for (a)

 


*Note: Both factors must apply to both countries.

 


A list of possible answers is below. This list is not exhaustive.
 

 
  • Ethnicity
  • Party (ideological) affiliation
  • Region
  • Education
  • Charisma
  • Gender
  • Social status (wealth)
  • Government/military positions
  • Patron-client relationships

 

b.

1 point for a thesis that compares ease of access (easier, harder, the same) into the political elite in the two countries

1 point for each explanation that links the factors identified in part (a) to the thesis (2 points total)

3 points total for (b)

 

Lowest scores:

 

0

attempts to answer question but earns no points

 

—

blank or off task

 

 

2000 Free-Response Questions

Comparative: Question 3

Since the late 1980's, there have been several proposals, some of which have been adopted, to change the constitutional structure of the United Kingdom.  Identify and describe three of these proposals.  For each of these proposals, discuss one problem it was designed to address.

 

 

Comparative: Question 3 Scoring Guidelines

7 POINTS TOTAL

 

1 point total for the identification of 3 different proposals
1 point each for a description of a proposal (3 points total)
1 point each for a discussion of a problem linked to a proposal (3 points total)


Lowest scores:

 

0

attempts to answer question but earns no points: scored as zero (0)

 

—

blank or off task

A list of possible answers is below. This list is not exhaustive.

Proposal

Problem
  • Devolution of power in Scotland and Wales
  • Too much centralization of authority; conflicts due to regional nationalism
  • Constitution for Northern Ireland
  • Nationalism; religious violence
  • Reform of House of Lords: abolition, limits on legislative powers
  • Ineffective; undemocratic; delay of legislation
  • Electoral changes: proportional representation, direct election of PM
  • Small parties not represented according to electoral strength; limited popular participation
  • European Union: to join or not to join
  • Isolation from rest of Europe; trade with Europe; loss of autonomy
  • Direct election of mayors
  • Local leaders not democratically elected
  • Access to personal information held by the government
  • Government secrecy
  • Changes in monarchy: abolition, taxation of royal family, change in role as head of Church of England
  • Outdated; undemocratic, too expensive
  • Changes in the judiciary: judicial review
  • Checks on legislative action
  • Written Constitution
  • Consistency in application of laws and procedures

 


Lowest scores:

0

attempts to answer question but earns no points

—

blank or off task

 

2000 Free-Response Question

Comparative: Question 4

The following characteristics are often associated with democracies.

-          Sustained and recurring national elections

-          Competitive political parties

-          Civilian control over the military

-          An independent judiciary

  1. Select two of the characteristics above and for each of these two characteristics, explain how it contributes to democracy.
  2. Has each characteristic you selected in (a) contributed to democracy in either India or Mexico or Nigeria?  (Must choose Nigeria for this assignment)  Explain your answer.

 

Comparative: Question 4 Scoring Guidelines

5 POINTS TOTAL

Part (a):

1 point for each explanation of how each characteristic contributes to democracy (2 points total).

 

*Note: The description may be generic, with no mention of a specific country.

Part (b):

1 point for taking 2 positions on whether the characteristics contribute to democracy. (1 point total).

 

*Note: Taking only one position earns no credit

1 point for each explanation of the position taken. (2 points total).

Attempts to answer question but earns no points: scored as zero (0)

Blank or off-task: scored as a dash ( — )