Is Democracy the Best Form of Government?

1. Watch the "Systems of Government Explained through Two Cows" video located at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIPDJ1Cc_uw.

2. Identify two new things you learned from this quick review (Note- you're not "dummies", the post title is a reference to the popular " For Dummies" book series and probably a tag that helps the video get more hits.)

3. Select and read ONE of the articles below based on your reading level and what interests you most.(listed in order of decreasing sophistication - C being the most challenging, B at grade level and A being most straight forward)

C) "What's so Good About Democracy Anyway?: An Audience with the Last Dictator of Europe" Eugeney Levdev, The Independent: October, 2012.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/whats-so-good-about-democracy-anyway-an-audience-with-the-last-dictator-in-europe-8218912.html

B) "The Trouble With Freedom" - Jane Jackson, BBC News: August 2012. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19372177

A) "Is Democracy Best for the Poor" Vanessa Humphries, UK Guardian: November 2012.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov/15/africa-democary-poverty-relief


4. Summarize the news article. According to the author, what are the advantages and disadvantages of democracy? Does he / she believe democracy is the best form of government? Explain using evidence from the text.

5. In your opinion, is democracy the best form of government? (Explain using evidence from our class work and the text/video.

Your post should be no less than 250 words and include a response to one of your peers (unless you post first.)

Blog Rubric

E- post is analytical, sophisticated and rich with text-based evidence and factual support.

G- post is supported with relevant details OR richly analytical and meets all guidelines for the assignment

S- post responds to task with some inaccuracy, may be general or vague but relates to class and content knowledge

N- post does not relate clearly to task and/ or is less than 250 written word and comment requirement

F- no post or plagiarized work

Blog #1: What is the purpose of government?

In a recent editorial called "Talk About the Role of Government", New York Times columnist Drew Western wrote that "The measure of a government is wether it helps create prosperity for the many, security for all and a better future for our children."

Our first blog assignment asks you to reflect on the role of government in the modern world a personal and current events based perspectives.

Directions: Read "Politics This Week" on the homepage for "The Economist" online magazine: http://www.economist.com/news/world-week/21571205-politics-week

A) Identify at least three political systems and concepts in action in this news brief.
b) Provide a summary of that you read identifying some political trends in the modern world.
c) Reflect on the quote italizized above and the essential question of our first unit: What is the purpose of governemnt? (your opinion is required here)
d) Based on these resources, are governments in the modern world fulfilling their roles/ duties? Explain your answer with specific examples. (This is an analytical question, you will need to take and assert your own opinion drawing on our class work last week and prior knowledge.)


This assignment is due no later than 8:30 am on 2/4/2013 (Monday morning) and must be 250 words. You should post your response in the "comment" section below.

Reminders:
Blogs count as 20% of your marking period grade. Follow the rubric on the homepage to ensure an optimal score.
Always type your blog on a Word program first to safeguard against upload errors.