myTwitter Roundup - Part One

BACKGROUND: last week, each student created an academic Twitter account and began following a mix of political reporters, political commentators, political media outlets, political scientists, and elected officials. Students also connect with each other and with me through our class Twitter feed, @ParishGOV. (Click HERE for more details about the initial assignment.)

Our GOAL is to prepare students for responsible citizenship and life-long engagement in the political process. More specifically, we aim to create Twitter feeds as personalized, annotated search engines that connect students to current affairs and political analysis.

TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT (daily work grade):

1. Choose one story from your academic Twitter feed that has captured your attention - re-tweet it.
2. Write 2-3 sentences in summary. (Please share a link to the story with your summary.)
3. Write 2-3 sentences that explain the story's connection(s) to our study of government.
4. Post your writing as a comment to our blog (See comments section for Mr. O's example.)

On Respect for Different Points of View

I recommend this opinion editorial from columnist Leonard Pitts of The Miami Herald.  Mr. Pitts seems to 'swim against the tide of popular culture' in expressing respect for conservative former governor Mike Huckabee. What are your thoughts about Pitts' point-of-view?

The Purpose of Government in the Enlightenment Mindset

What are the primary purposes of government? Explain using examples from the writings of Enlightenment thinkers.

CityOfMemphis.org

     Since the establishment of humanity, people have banded together in groups and communities.  Some say that it is common for humans to flock to one another, as it is an innate quality of human nature.  What is it, however, that motivates individuals to form an organized society with laws and regulations in which people have restrictions and statutes by which they must abide?  Why are governments expected to protect citizens, maintain order, regulate the economy, provide public goods and services, socialize the nation's youth, and levy taxes? Enlightenment thinkers might say that it is due to the confidence that by cooperating and working conjointly society might better preserve the mutual rights of all: life, liberty, and property.  

John Locke (NNDB.com)

     For a long period of time, humanity has lived in what Enlightenment thinkers called a “natural state.”  In this “state of nature” or “state of perfect freedom,” all individuals are completely free to do as they wish and utilize their possessions as they see most beneficial and utilitarian; they do not have to seek consent nor ask anyone for permission.  As John Locke, an English philosopher of the Enlightenment, states in his Two Treatises of Government (1690), “The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it.  Reason is that law.  It teaches all mankind that, since all men are equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions.” 

     If, when in this “state of nature,” people were the absolute masters of themselves and their possessions, why then would they forfeit their freedom of action and submit themselves to the dominion of any other entity?  The key to this question is that this state of nature is only perfect for all if it goes uncorrupted, if all individuals obey the “law of reason.”  In reality, because it is unlikely that every person or organization is always concerned with equality and justice, individuals are constantly exposed to possible infringements on his or her natural rights by others.  For Locke, it is due to this lack of security that men join in a society and form a government that can mutually preserve their rights to life, liberty, and property in an expeditious, reliable manner.

The Social Contract (LOC.gov)

     Thus, in the view of Enlightenment thinkers, people search for some form of government in which they can rally the entire community for the protection of each person and his property, while still maintaining one’s free will.  Jean Jacques Rousseau makes a statement in The Social Contract (1762) that in a social contract, “Each individual surrenders all his rights to the community.  Since each man surrenders his rights without reservation, all are equal and because all are equal, it is to everyone’s interest to make life pleasant for his fellows.”  This is the same premise that Adam Smith, another Enlightenment thinker, wrote about in The Wealth of Nations with respect to economics.  He states that people are willing to specialize (inventing technology, improving dexterity, and saving time) due to the certainty that they are able to exchange their surpluses in mutual self-interest.  With everyone’s person and authority placed under the supreme direction of the general will, it must be understood, as Rousseau explicates, that any person who refuses the general will be forced to do so by his peers.  Because all men are equal and should take an active role in the governing of themselves, if one individual breaks this social contract by making claims against the group or reserving a right for oneself, all members of the contract “would regain [their] natural liberty by losing the liberty of the social contract for which [they] originally gave up [their] freedom of action.”  This concept, that a government is created “by the people, for the people,” is also known as “popular sovereignty.”  If the absolute power of a government rests in the hands of its members and its legitimacy is only supported by their will, then it must be beneficial to them in helping to achieve their goals or it will not last.

Adam Smith (XTimeline.com)


    Essentially, because a government is created by its participants under a preconceived notion of what it is meant to achieve, when governmental power strays from that path and abuses the rights it has been given, the people have the right to rebel, dissolve the erroneous institution, and establish a new one that provides them the security for which governments were originally organized.  In this way, as Enlightenment thinkers believe, the general purpose of a government is to provide the security and assurance to individuals that was lacking before organized society while still retaining the rights and freedoms that innately belong to them in their natural state.

Neoformix.com



Government and Compromise: How Important Is It?

To what extent is compromise necessary for government to meet the expectations of its citizens? Explain your answer using examples from Constitution-writing process in the Founding Period of American history and from your reading of current affairs.

http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/links/constitution.jpg

Throughout the history of the United States, opposing forces have often butted heads in order to get what they want.  The only successful solution to these issues came from compromise.  In fact, compromise is one of the few ways that a government can meet the expectations of its citizens.  We can see this during America’s Constitutional period as well as today’s “Arab Spring.” 

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            During the drafting of the Constitution, federalists and anti-federalists fought over how much power to give to the central government.  The anti-federalists wanted the states to have a lot of power respectively, but this was tried out with the Articles of Confederation, which resulted in failure.  James Madison wanted to compromise with the proposition of the Virginia Plan, which revoked the Articles of Confederation and gave more power to the central government.  The anti-federalists worried that a strong central government could become too powerful and result in the corrupted ways of a British monarchy.  Madison preempted these concerns by focusing on two main points of his plan: checks and balances.  First of all, he would include judicial and executive branches in addition to the legislative branch.  All of these components required approval from the others before enacting certain bills/laws, so there would be a homogeneous distribution of power.  Secondly, a bicameral national legislature comprised of the Senate and the House of Representatives would check each other’s power because the former’s members would be elected by state legislature while the latter’s by popular vote.  The New Jersey Plan aimed at a compromise to increase federal power with a unicameral legislature, but the Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise) settled the issue with accordance to Madison’s plan.  On another issue, slave states wanted slaves to count for the population in order to increase their representation in government, but anti-slave states thought this would be unfair.  Ultimately, the 3/5 Compromise appeased everyone by only counting slaves fractionally in pertinence to the population.  This series of compromises made during the Constitutional phase of America clearly shows their necessity in order to be successful. 

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            Secondly, today’s riots in the Middle East potently show the necessity to compromise.  Authoritarian leaders and dictators that once ruled unquestioned are now being bombarded by requests for freedom and equality.  The rulers held strong for a while, but they soon relented willingly in Egypt, Tunisia, and Yemen.  The first two are on their way to becoming successful democracies.  The issue in The Middle East as a whole lies in the fact that compromise is not a traditional means of problem resolution because dictators have ruled unconditionally for so long.  The citizens are now realizing the innumerable human rights abuses they have endured and want to fight back.  We can see that the governments that are unwilling to compromise are actually failing, such as in Syria.  Success is only prevalent where revolutions have overthrown dictators and interim governments have begun negotiating with the citizens.  Clearly, current events in the Middle East prove the necessity of compromise.

            In conclusion, in order for governments to be successful, there needs to be compromise because it is only in human nature for there to be clash among opposing parties.  Compromise is the only means to a solution that benefits everybody, as is demonstrated in America’s Constitution and the riots in the “Arab Spring” today.

Enlightenment Philosophy: The Declaration of Independence

“The Declaration of Independence is a product of Enlightenment thought.” Using the line in quotes as a topic sentence, write a paragraph that uses at least THREE examples from the Declaration to ‘make’ your persuasive case.

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/
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The American Revolution was a period in U.S. history plagued by new revolutionary ideals that sprouted from the Enlightenment.  Philosophers aimed at applying rational principles to society and government; naturally, they played a large role in America’s journey to freedom.  In fact, the Declaration of Independence is a product of Enlightenment thought, characterized in two aspects: natural rights and popular sovereignty.

            The framers of the declaration kept natural rights in mind because they did not want a newborn America to fall back into the corrupted ways of England.  Therefore, explicit examples of natural rights are evident throughout the Declaration of Independence.  One of the most famous clauses reads as follows: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."  Clearly, Enlightenment philosophers, such as John Locke, had a major influence on this historical document in this respect.  Although the ideas of “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” may seem blatantly obvious and undeniable, monarchies, such as the one in England, were notorious for denying these basic rights to their people.  During its creation, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston made sure to include the basic ideals of natural rights in the Declaration of Independence.

http://www.ushistory.org/declaration
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            Secondly, the idea of popular sovereignty, as explained by John Locke, is also prevalent in the document.  In all three parts of the declaration, Jefferson added concepts whose origins sprout from the political theories of Locke.  In the preamble, the declaration explains that when a government fails to protect the basic rights its creation intended it to guard, it is the duty of the people to establish a new institution that will.  This is almost a restatement of Locke’s “right to rebellion.”  However, Locke did mention in his Two Treatises of Government that insignificant abuses that occur few and far between cannot be taken into account and result in rebellion.  Jefferson preempts this in the second part of the declaration, where he lists the shocking train of abuses that the King of England imposes on the American colonies.  Some of the violations include the lack of trial by jury, the maintaining of a standing army during times of peace, the imposition of taxes without consent, and the cutting off of trade with the rest of the world.  Surely, this list of failures on the behalf of the current government is deserving of substitution, which is what the conclusion of the declaration presents.  The colonies assert their independence in the following clause: “…these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved…”  Clearly, the writers of the declaration are trying to express the fact that the power lies in the people, demonstrating in effect the power of popular sovereignty.

           In summary, the Declaration of Independence is a document that has its roots in Enlightenment ideals, such as natural rights and popular sovereignty.  Philosophers like John Locke played a large role in influencing its rhetoric and justifications, those of which Jefferson utilized to place America on its way to freedom! 

Enlightenment Philosophy: The Purpose of Government...

What are the primary purposes of government? Explain using examples from the writings of Enlightenment thinkers.

At the beginning of man’s existence, humans lived in a natural state.  There was no concept of society, government, or politics – people simply sough to live instinctively and efficiently.  Survival was key.  There was neither a moral nor ethical set of rules nor any accepted behavioral codes, just self-interest.  However, this unconditional freedom, in which anybody could do whatever they pleased, was not to everyone’s benefit.  Life and security were very volatile and could be dramatically altered at anybody’s unquestioned whim.  This insecurity and lack of reliability gave way to the creation of society and government. 

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/
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            Humanity wanted an institution whose purpose it was to protect their “life, liberty, and property.”  Notably, this could only be done if people surrendered some of their natural rights, for their benefit, nevertheless.  Thomas Hobbes, the English author of Leviathan, explains that there is natural conflict when in this state of nature.  He argues that governments come about to withhold some of these natural rights in return to stifle conflict and better society.  John Locke, an English philosopher of the Enlightenment period, explains in his Two Treatises of Government that government arises because the people want it to protect their natural rights, in this case: “life, liberty, and property.”  Therefore, power lies in the hands of the people.  This idea is also known as popular sovereignty, which was a major challenge to the monarchies of the day.  In England, for example, monarchs claimed to rule by the divine right of kings.  John Locke suggested that monarchs do not possess the power they so arrogantly think they have, but rather that it lies “essentially in the nation.”  To further the example, the British monarchy was very harsh and blatantly rescinded rights from its people.  Locke goes on to propose that because the people consent to the creation of a government with intended purposes, its straying from these intentions allows the people to institute a new, more fitting government.  In other words, when the government fails to protect the lives, liberty, and property of its people, then they have a “right of rebellion.”

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            Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a French philosophe, expounds on Hobbe’s and Locke’s ideas with his Social Contract.  He affirms the idea that the losing of certain natural rights bears in return a society characterized by security and freedom.  More importantly, he argues that the only way to benefit from government is to directly participate in it.  This would challenge the ideas held by monarchs at the time, who believed that civilians should be completely deprived of all say in the government.  Rousseau also believed that there should be a separation of church and state, and consequently, freedom of religion.  These two ideas affirm the idea that governments should not limit the wants of the people if they do not threaten the general will.

            In essence, Enlightenment philosophers proposed revolutionary ideas that challenged the rulers of their time.  BY proposing their rational ideas on what governments are intended to be, they set the ball rolling for future governments and their relations with the governed.

ParishVirtual's Government - Vision Statement

As students and I study government together, I am hopeful that we will develop authentic voices for analyzing course readings and reflecting on current affairs. This blog project, then, is an effort to create space to engage students in conversations about issues and ideas that are both meaningful and relevant to them.

I'm hoping this project will be 'messy' and improvisational... and in the process students and I will learn from each other.

Welcome!

(Posting #5) Reactions to the AZ shooting

"TUCSON, Ariz. – Federal prosecutors brought charges Sunday against the gunman accused of attempting to assassinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and killing six people at a political event in Arizona." (Read full story from the Associated Press HERE.)

U.S. District Judge John M. Roll and five others were killed in the tragedy at a Tucson-area Safeway supermarket, and US Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) remains hospitalized in critcal condition with a bullet wound in her brain.

Journalist Corey Dade wonders whether the "inflammatory language" that is increasingly characteristic of American political discourse could be a root cause of Saturday's shooting. Read Wade's article HERE. Pima (AZ) County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik (D) reacted in a similar way at a press conference later on Saturday afternoon; view an excerpt of his comments in a YouTube video.

What are your reactions?

(Posting #4) Judicial Review of Health Care Reform?

Please use this thread to continue the dialogue we began in class today: does federal Health Care Reform with mandates (aka the Affordable Care Act or ObamaCare) violate the Commerce Clause of the US Constitution? Should the US Supreme Court hear the case?

GO FARTHER! Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum is a leading voice advocating legal challenges to Federal health care reform legislation. Read his thoughts (unfiltered) at McCollum's blog. St. Petersburg (FL) Times columnist Howard Troxler offers his opinion HERE. A conservative federal District Judge in Virginia has issued a ruling that may render parts of the health care law unconstitutional. Talking Points Memo reports on its blog that the Department of Justice will appeal, and suggests HERE that the case raises issues of partisanship within the judiciary.

THREE REMINDERS:
1. To satisfy requirements for this assignment, you must either: 1) post your opinion - thoughtfully; and/or 2) respond to one of your classmates' posts - in the spirit of deliberative dialogue. (Daily Work grade)

2. Criteria for Grading: To guarantee a ‘Gentleman’s C’, so to speak: a) write respectfully and thoughtfully, b) write a minimum of 5 sentences, and c) attempt to be “remarkable” — to borrow from Mr. Monaco's chapel speech — so that visitors will want to “remark” about your post.  Beyond that, write in a way that is meaningful and compelling. Period.  Students’ submissions will be individually evaluated based on overall thesis/ideas/creativity/style.

3. Remember to 'sign' your post with first name and last initial - so that you'll earn credit.

(Posting #3a): Thoughts on the War in Afghanistan

After today's discussion in class, I am confident that each of you has at least as much background knowledge as a typical American voter (and probably more!). Please use this thread to continue the dialogue we began in class today: what are your opinions about the on-going U.S. War in Afghanistan?

GO FARTHER! In December, 2009, President Obama gave a major policy speech at the US Military Academy in West Point, NY, outlining the rationale for the war. You are welcome to watch that speech in its entirety here or check out a shorter excerpt. For a contrasting point-of-view, consider this article in which Afghani activist Malalai Joya suggests that "...[American] occupation will never bring liberation, and it is impossible to bring democracy by war.” For more background on the conflict, please see this interactive feature at the Council on Foreign Relations website.

TWO REMINDERS:
1. To satisfy requirements for this assignment, you must either: 1) post your opinion - thoughtfully; and/or 2) respond to one of your classmates' posts - in the spirit of deliberative dialogue. (Daily Work grade)
2. Remember to 'sign' your post with first name and last initial - so that you'll earn credit.

(Posting #2b) 1st Amendment Hypothetical: "US v Terry Jones"

For a moment, let's assume that Terry Jones had burned the Koran on the anniversary of 9/11:

Would Jones' controversial actions have been protected by the first amendment to the US Constitution?

OR

Should Federal law prohibit the act of burning the Koran - to protect American troops abroad; to protect Americans from renewed terrorist threats at home; and/or to show the world that Americans remain tolerant of diverse religious traditions?

Read the background for "US v Terry Jones" assignment here.

GO FARTHER! For a retired Supreme Court Justice's point-of-view on the Constitution as a "living document" and the role of the Court, listen to (or read) NPR's interview with Justice Stephen Breyer here.

(Posting #2a) Problem-Based Learning: A Call to Collaborate on Project Design

I've been thinking about this Verizon advertisement: the Internet provides a forum that doesn't care about age and experience - only the QUALITY OF IDEAS...

PROBLEM: Younger Americans are less involved in the political process than fellow citizens who are older. According to this report from the US Census Bureau: "In 2008, younger citizens (18-24) had the lowest voting rate (49 percent), while citizens who fell into older age groups (45-64 and 65-plus) had the highest voting rates (69 percent and 70 percent, respectively)."

SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS / FRAMING ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:

1. How can students develop AUTHENTIC (real) VOICES in the political process - as we head toward elections this November?
2. How can students INFLUENCE the public debate on issues they care about in MEANINGFUL WAYS??
3. How can we MEASURE the IMPACT of students' political action on political leaders, on elections, on issues???

I want your HELP to develop a project that's broad in its scope, 'messy' in its details, and REAL in its impact. In the process, I envision playing a role similar to the guy in the suit from this YouTube video... can you imagine it? Envision it??

Let's work on this together: have a look at my DRAFT of the assignment:

• What are your thoughts about developing this PROJECT?
• What are your recommendations for teams working to define their projects and develop their action plans?

(Posting #1) Reflections on the Iraq War

I've created this thread so that we can continue our class discussion about the Iraq War. I've attached a link to President Obama's primetime address here - you may wish to view it again (in its entirety?) before you post. Also, it might be helpful to read liberal and/or conservative reactions to the speech. EJ Dionne, a left-leaning columnist for The Washington Post, offers his thoughts here, and Karl Rove, a conservative political consultant who worked for George W. Bush, comments here.

To satisfy the requirements for this assignment, you must either: 1) post your opinion - thoughtfully; and/or 2) respond to one of your classmates' posts - in the spirit of deliberative dialogue. (Daily Work grade)

THREE IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. Consider writing in MS Word and using copy-and-paste to enter your comment... at least until you are comfortable using our blog.
2. In order for the post to be saved at our blog you'll need to sign-in; use this opportunity to follow our blog!
3. Remember to 'sign' your post with first name and last initial - so that you'll earn credit.

Mixing is not Plagiarism... really?!?

I know this is a stretch because it's a long way from the current affairs that we usually talk about in Government... but... I can't resist hearing your thoughts about 17 year-old German author Helene Hegemann's new novel and the controversy (outrage?) over her "sampling" full pages from another author in her work. Interestingly, Ms. Hegemann has apologized for "not being more open about her sources." She did not apologize for using another writer's words without permission, though... she claims that "there's no such thing as originality anyway." UGH! I'm stunned that Hegemann's novel is up to #5 on the German best-seller list... and it's been nominated for a prestigious writing prize, too. Read the full story HERE and then post your comments...

Helpful Advice for President Obama?

In a recent opinion editorial, conservative New York Times columnist David Brooks offers a diagnosis for President Obama's sagging approval ratings and advice for 2010. Read the column here and then offer your reaction - what do you think about Mr. Brooks' point-of-view? What advice would you offer President Obama for 2010?

How Effective is a "Kick in the Pants" from President Obama?

How would you describe Ms. Stoltberg's view of Presidential power? What do you think of her point-of-view?

Health Care Reform: A Question of Values?

Columnist David Brooks has an interesting 'bigger picture' view on the debate over health care reform. Have a look at his op-ed piece HERE and then tell us what YOU think by posting a comment...

On Afghanistan: Don't Build Up? (10/28)

New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman offers a contrarian view on Afghanistan: while General McChrystal argues for more U.S. troops, Friedman suggests that "thinking about how to reduce our footprint" in Afghanistan may better serve American interests.

What are your reactions after reading Friedman's point of view?

For Discussion - Article from the NY Times (9/25)

Public Wary of Obama on War and Health Care, Poll Finds
President Obama is confronting tepid support for his handling of the war in Afghanistan and an electorate confused about the proposed health care overhaul, according to the latest NY Times/CBS News poll. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/us/politics/25poll.html