Author: chris

In addition to the importance of developing new frames for understanding the world, Shock also argues that what separates successful movements from unsuccessful ones is that successful movements have the right types of mobilizing structures

1. What are the essential characteristics of a successful mobilizing structure according to Shock?
2. What were the specific characteristics of the mobilizing structure used in the case study you picked?  Do they exactly align with Shock’s theory or were there other aspects involved?
3. Discuss whether the current US movement you selected has the type of mobilizing structure currently that will allow it to be successful … or what would need to change.

Good answers will make specific references to the readings and give a reference to specific page numbers of the readings.

Critical Thinking Questions

Critical Thinking Questions

Directions: Please pick ONE of the following questions and answer the question in a well-written college level essay. The essay should be at least 6 pages, double spaced, utilizing MLA format. Please cite all sources used. Your text must be used as a source.

1.    Voter turnout in the United States is relatively low compared to other Western democratic industrialized societies. What are two possible reasons for this lower turnout, explain each in detail? In your opinion should the United States change its policies in order to increase turnout? Why or why not? What policy changes would you recommend?

2.    In the 2010 November election, California’s ballot contained a proposition introducing the legalization of marijuana as a legal recreational drug. Leading up to the vote, polls suggested this proposition would pass. Using your book, what voting trends may have led to its defeat? In your opinion will we see this proposition reintroduced on the ballot, or will it again be defeated?

3.    The Supreme Court recently ruled that large corporations, unions and other special interest organizations are legally able to donate money in the form of both soft and hard contributions. This ruling suggested that limiting contributions is a violation of the first amendment. Explain this ruling in detail. How has it impacted our democratic republic? Do you agree with the legal outcome? Why or why not?

4.    With selective incorporation, the judicial branch determined that “select” liberties for citizens should be protected against both state and federal intervention? List and describe two of the amendments, which have been “selectively incorporated”, that apply both to the state and federal governments. What court cases gave these amendments their “selectively incorporated” status and do you believe there is justification for selective incorporation or should all liberties be protected at both the state and federal level?

Counterinsurgency and the “Human Terrain” in Afghanistan

Counterinsurgency and the “Human Terrain” in Afghanistan
Question: In May of 2010, the former commander of all US Armed Forces in Afghanistan suggested that “the idea of counterinsurgency appears to be a viable way for success on paper…[but] counterinsurgency methods are not proving to be effective in practice.” He also noted that “[t]he human terrain layer of the battlefield is a necessary component of mission planning and success in a counterinsurgency environment.” Dividing the essay into two component parts, please answer the following questions: 1) Exactly what is counterinsurgency (COIN) doctrine and do you believe it can achieve a successful result in Afghanistan? And, 2) Is it ethical to recruit from the universities, including students and professors, for the US military’s “Human Terrain Systems” (HTS) project whose work will be used in the COIN process?