Essays and Research Papers on Political Theory

A 3 page overview of the political scenarios which existed in these three regions during the fifteenth century. The authors notes the similarities which existed in regard to the need to generate resources to fund governmental activity and how this was accomplished in each of these regions using smaller governmental subcomponents. No sources ...

Using examples from China, Japan and Australia, this 5 page paper explores the less positive aspects of globalization. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

A 7 page contention that as our understanding and perception of terrorism evolves so do our definitions and the way that we attempt to legally deal with the phenomena. The fluid nature of the international response to terrorism can be attributed to this fact as can our failure to come up with precise international ...

A 6 page paper which examines where it originated (considering the influence of America’s Founding Fathers and the formulation of laws after the Revolutionary War), how Western law was incorporated into the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, its similarities and differences to Islamic law, and explores how modern law has changed its conceptual focus. ...

A 5 page review of the criticism surrounding the IMF austerity plans that arose in the late 1990s. Some have questioned whether this approach was indeed justified as a form of "tough love". Others, however, have contended that it was in effect just a means for IMF to pull out of situation(s) and ...

This 3 page paper examines the Declaration of Independence to determine how natural law and natural rights are concepts included. The declaration is analyzed and quotes are included. No additional sources are listed.

This 5 page paper reports discussions on the legality or lawfulness of the war in Iraq. Commentators and authors do not agree and the writer concludes there will never be a consensus conclusion. The different Articles from the UN and its Security Council that are used in these discussions are reported as are the ...

Martin Luther King, Jr. said that anyone living in the states should never be considered an outsider, but Henry David Thoreau points out that the United States is not truly a society of people, but a country made up of individuals with only their own needs to consider, under the law. As such, their capitalist ...

A 19 page consideration of gun control laws. This paper uses history to argue that gun control is not the solution for crime. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

An 8 page discussion of the importance of this 1982 law. The author of this paper emphasizes that, despite its many challenges and despite its potential for misuse the Freedom of Information Act is a critical element in insuring transparency, fairness and efficiency in executive government. Bibliography lists 9 sources.

A 5 page overview of this Supreme Court Case reviewing the question of whether state university facilities can be used by students for religious purposes. Additional case law is included to illustrate the intricacies that are involved in this decision. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

An 11 page review of the various impacts to American ideology and rights we have witnessed in our societal response to terrorism. The author contends that the suspension of legal rights associated with counter-terrorist strategies are more in keeping with the martial law of militarized and totalitarian states than the rule of law that ...

A 10 page consideration of the provisions made by the law resulting from Senate Bill 56. This law allows more judicial discretion in criminal sentencing. At the same time, however, it introduces a prime environment for perverse incentive and injustice. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

A 4 page essay that defends Thoreau’s position in his essay “Civil Disobedience.” Thoreau argued against adhering to the dictates of any society or obeying any law simply because it is a law. Rather than blindly accepting the authority of the state, Thoreau felt that people were obligated to obey a higher law, one that ...

A 20 page paper discussing the relationship of sovereignty and natural law. Over the course of the centuries, there has run the full gamut of thinking regarding the relationship of sovereignty or the right to sovereignty to varying views of natural order, natural laws, divine right and the simple acquiescence of the people to ...

This 3 page paper is a reflection on political thing from the context of naturalism, especially as proposed by Adam Smith and under the doctrine of common law. The bibliography cites 2 sources.

Who holds the power of decision when a patient decides it is time to die? According to the elite theory, as described by Thomas Dye in Understanding Public Policy, it is the medical and law professions. This 5 page paper explores the issue of patient's rights from the perspective of the elite model. ...

A 3 page discussion of Henry David Thoreau's prescription for Civil Disobedience. This paper addresses how civil disobedience is an extremely effective tactic even today. The example of abortion law is emphasized. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 7 page research paper/essay argues a perspective that goes beyond the political and includes the influence of the divine and natural law is necessary to preserving the applicability of democracy within the scope and framework of global society. The philosophies of Aristotle, St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, as well as other philosophers are consulted. ...

This 7 page paper discusses voting rights and recent Supreme Court decisions, and also touches on gerrymandering and reactions to it. It argues that politics, not law, is the driving force in the most recent decisions. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

An 8 page examination of member state liability in the European Community. This paper examines case law and how it regards liability. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This 7 page paper explores David Held's idea that the U.S. is going back to "Westphalian sovereignty" and that in doing so, it ignores human rights and international law. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 6 page paper notes the degradation of our civil rights that have gone hand in hand with our progressively tightening laws that have occurred since 9-11. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 5 page paper that explores the motorcyclist organization from the perspective of a special interest group. This paper describes one very visible protest of helmet laws that was sponsored by ABATE. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 16 page paper discusses various Greek philosphers and their views of war, laws, and justice. Among the philosophers examined are Thuycidides, Pericles, Aeschylus, Heraclitus and this paper refers to many of their notable works to examine how they felt about political issues.