English 101, 101 H
Government Essay
Yablon 1
The Assignment:
This semester, we are reading A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College
Writers by Lee A. Jacobus. This book contains snippets of some of the greatest thinkers of our known history. The reading selections and the options for writing assignments are meant to make you think deeply about issues that underlie our presentday society. There is no “one right answer” to any of these issues or questions, so please do not attempt to determine that “one right answer” or “the answer that will please the teacher.” Instead, think deeply, write based upon that thinking, and support your convictions (perspective) clearly and thoroughly.
Please write a well-organized exemplification-exposition-explanatory essay that says something meaningful and conforms to the requirements listed in the syllabus.
Those requirements include: All papers must have the following characteristics. Papers that do not follow these guidelines will be returned to the student without being read or graded.
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All text double-spaced
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Use a sans-serif font such as Chalkboard or Ariel
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12 point height (neither less nor more)
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Follow consistent MLA formatting
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A hard copy delivered to the instructor (no disks/emails/excuses)
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Length: 5-7 pages, plus a Works Cited page
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Identif ied as to type of paper being submitted (“Government Paper”)
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Given an appropriate title (not a label such as “narrative paper”)
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MLA citations and a Works Cited page
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Proof of peer review (on the rough draft)
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A reflection about the piece of writing submitted
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A formal outline
For the topic of your essay, please choose ONE of the following:
Lao-tzu
1. Examine the way popular advertising in any medium demonstrates the truth of Laotzu's contention that "there is no disaster greater than not being content." Show how advertising makes it impossible for anyone who is its victim to be content. What is the result of advertising's success in making people discontented?
2. Write a series of verses in imitation of Lau-tzu, giving what you feel are the loftiest and wisest principles you can offer on the operation of the state and the proper behavior of its citizens. Use the form that appears in the selections -- short declarative sentences that imply more than they say explicitly, verses that include several sections, ideals that can be put into action.

English 101, 101 H
Government Essay
Yablon 2
Machiavelli
3. In an essay titled "The Qualities of a Politician," give your own advice to the politician of your choice. Use Machiavelli's rhetorical technique of sharply focused, brief paragraphs on a single subject that usually contrast two kinds of behavior, as well as his technique of the aphorism. Be sure to use Machiavelli's categories so that you are sure to cover the full range of activities pertinent to political life.
4. What form of government would Machiavelli feel is most stable and desirable? Base your answer on an analysis of the recommendations Machiavelli gives his prince.
Consider his views of individuals in society and their roles and responsibilities in regard to the prince. What governments of today mi ght satisfy Machiavelli’s demands for the way the state should operate?
Rousseau
5. Is the family a necessary antecedent to government, or is government a necessary antecedent to the generally accepted structure of the family?
6. What form of government would Rousseau approve of today? Describe briefly the kinds of rulers, the kind of institution, and the behavior of the governed that would most please him. Does any such government exist? Could it exist?
Jefferson
7. Refer to Machiavelli's concerns for the way things turn out -- the relationship between ends and means. What does the Declaration imply about the justification of rebellion to achieve the ends of independence? Do you feel confident that the means of rebellion -- involving war, civil disorder, injustice, and death -- can be justified by the end of independence? Do you feel that Jefferson thought these particular means were justified by the ends he had in mind? How would he have regarded Machiavelli's advice?
8. The Declaration was written after the first year of the American Revolution. What would be some of the reasons for writing such a document if the colonies were already in battle? To whom could it be useful? Consider its effect both in England and in the colonies.
Arendt
9. Why are ideologies essential to the growth and development of a totalitarian state?
What is a typical ideology that might contribute to totalitarianism? Are you aware of ideologies that hold sway today that might be capable of spawning new totalitarian states? What contemporary institutions exist that might lead toward a totalitarian

English 101, 101 H
Government Essay
Yablon 3 system in or near your own environment? What are the dangers of such institutions? Are they perceived as being dangerous for the right reasons?
10.
Arendt states, “What common sense and ‘normal people’ refuse to believe is that everything is possible.” For that reason, they tend not to believe that concentration camps could exist or that total domination is possible. Explain why “normal people” have difficulty with the concept that “everything is possible.”
Carter:
11. One of the large questions about a democracy concerns the responsibility of the state to protect the rights of a minority population. Our democracy does not imply that the will of the majority rules absolutely. If that were true, prayer would be in the schools, gay people would be in the closet, and African Americans, Jews, Arabs, and other groups might be ignored and forced to follow practices abhorrent to them.
Feminists can also claim that their rights were ignored by the male power structure.
What is the obligation of a democracy to its minorities?
12. At one point, Carter points out that the Constitution does not make it clear whether the Establishment Clause should be administered by the federal government or by individual state governments. Which do you think the case should be? How might different states interpret the Establishment Clause? Why? How would the Plymouth
Colony, which existed one hundred fifty years before the Constitution, have interpreted the Establishment Clause?
Other Ideas:
13. You can analyze our current presidential election or political situation in terms of the ideas presented in our textbook. That is, you can take any of the ideas presented in the “Government” chapter and apply them to our current election or political situation in the United States. Would certain political parties make any of the authors particularly happy or unhappy? How about platforms or ballot initiatives? Are we in an environment where we are blinded by the process, by the media, and are we being led as lambs to the slaughter? How is this done? Do we, as a people, actually have any power? What has happened to our social contract with our leader?
Of course, the paper should be clear, well thought out, well written, and maintain an appropriate tone. Think carefully and be specific in your responses. Clarity of organization is expected. Avoid trying to “sound” too philosophical. The authors represented in our textbook used language that was appropriate and expected from them at the time they created their texts. Your tone should be serious and your thinking insightful and penetrating; but that does not mean that your words need to be overly elaborate. Remember, it is far better to use simple words well than sophisticated words improperly.

English 101, 101 H
Government Essay
Yablon 4
I am positive that you'll do just fine. If you have any questions, please let me know. Good luck!