Democracy & Capitalism Unit


Current Issues & ISMS
Unit #1 Democracy & Capitalism

Unit Enduring Understandings:

The road to democracy is difficult with many sharp turns and barriers to overcome in order to achieve the ideals of self-government and to balance the protection of individual liberties with collective welfare and equality for all.

The capitalist system creates the greatest opportunity for wealth, yet at the same time leaves a trail of casualties in its path.

Be sure to read all assignments carefully. Write your position paper giving your opinions based on the facts of the reading, in ink. This paper must be passed in on the day of discussion ore receive half credit only. Late excused papers will be passed in the day you return to class.

      1. Current Issues: Summer 2020
         "The Plague Election" by Molly Ball Time August 10, 2020
          w/Focus Questions
             
       2.  The Chart, Version 2.0: What Makes A News Source “Good?”

       3. Powerpoint/Lecture: Absentee Ballot v. Vote by Mail

       4. Close Up Controversial Issues in the News: Vote by Mail
           Cartoon: Vote by Mail
       
        5. “Voting by mail creates the opportunity for fraud and opens the door to accusations of a                         rigged election that will undermine the legitimacy of our democracy. RUBRIC
    “Attack on post office is election sabotage” by Kristen Clarke Washington Post
    “Voting by Mail Pros and Cons” by Richard Dahl  FindLaw
                           
        6.  Work Sheet: Elements of Capitalism (Private Ownership, Market Economy, Competition,                     Profit, and Stable Prices                                                                                                                                                                                         Today’s ISMS p. 22-31
 7. Documentary Film: We the People: The Market Basket Effect

 8.  Characteristics of Democracy: Essentials of Comparative Politics p. 134-159
     (Focus Questions)

  9. Case Study: The Road to Democracy Group/Pair Activity (2 students): Each group will produce a written and visual case study to assess the progress of a modern state as it struggles toward democracy. Each group will produce a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) of their country to guide their research. In your case study you will analyze criteria such as Rule of Law, Right to Vote/Free and Fair Elections, Peaceful Transfer of Power, Civilian Authority over the Military, Balance between Individual Liberties and Centralized Power, Competition between Political Parties, Civil Rights (Religious Freedom, Education, Healthcare, Retirement) to determine your country’s level of success in establishing and maintaining a democratic state. Each class member will complete a series of lead questions prior to the group activity to better understand the process. Remember each group’s work must be shared via a visual presentation (Power Point, Prezi, Google Presentation) and an MLA formatted research paper must be turned in to the instructor.
Colombia, Chile, Honduras, Czech Republic, Hungary Turkey, Egypt, Liberia, Uganda, Myanmar, Australia, South Korea     RUBRIC   
                                                           SCORING GUIDE    
       
                                       Essentials of Comparative Politics p. 161-188
                                       How Women Will Lead Us to Freedom, Justice and Peace
                                      "What's Gone Wrong with Democracy?" The Economist 2014
                                       World's Leading Democracies
                                                   Media Center Research: SIRS, Global Issues
                                           
Road to Democracy Projects
Philippines by Christian
Brazil by Oleg and Justin 
Brazil by Justus and Ethan 
Poland by Anthony and Trevor
Tunisia by Brandon Todd
Tunisia by Spencer
South Korea by Giorgos and Chris
Myanmar by Storm
Myanmar by Caitlyn
Poland by Hannah
                                                                                                                                                                      10. Stresses and Strains of Capitalism: Chart Strengths & Weaknesses                                                                                                            Today’s ISMS p. 31-42
                                                      “Patron Saint of Capitalism” Adam Smith     

11. Lecture/Power Point: Neoconservatives Against the Welfare State
                                    
12.  Ted Talk Education: History of Capitalism (Blog)

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