History

In reply to the first response

Indeed, monetary resources are greatly needed by a candidate in order to capture the hearts of the potential voters and to win the electoral race. The first response is right when it mentioned the expenses that a candidate must deal with when he or she is running on the campaign trail. Money is needed to fund the advertisements on print media, television, and radio. Such kind of activity is essential in the promotion of societal awareness of the personality and overall qualifications of the politician which are integral to his or her capability to properly mandate public service to his or her constituents.

Are there differences between voters and nonvoters If those who vote are successful in electing officials who represent their ideas, will they be more likely to obtain favorable governmental policies

Who represents the nonvoters
The total number of voters in any given area pertains to the total number of all the citizens who are 18 years old and above and registered to vote while the non-voters consist of the total population of people who are below 18 years of age, non-registered to vote, or just grounded on the idea that elections are pseudo-democratic voting rituals (Levine, 2008, n.p.). If the voting population will be able to elect the candidates who represent their ideas then it is likely that they will be able to obtain favorable governmental policies. However, it must still be noted that a number of matters must first be considered before policies will be enacted. Nevertheless, the fact that there is a person who is sensitive to the demands and needs of the people is a significant sign of the fulfillment of the demands of the voters. In this case, the non-voters wont be properly represented.

What is the difference between a single-member district election and that of an at-large system Why have minorities groups gone to the Supreme Court to outlaw the at-large system

In reply to the first response
Te first response is right when it said that single-member district elections are elections which are characterized by the identification of one person that would represent the whole district in the voting process while the at-large system is the process by which every single citizen is allowed to vote for all seats up for election. Furthermore, the minority issue with the at-large system is of great importance in political science (Davidson  Korbel, 1981). A number of studies are still being conducted to establish the link between minority group representation and local elections structures (Davidson  Korbel, 1981). At present however, minority groups do believe that a single-member district election is the tool for them to pick the candidate that they believe will be able to voice out their needs.

Find two examples of advertising in any media and examine how they relate to the propaganda techniques explained in your book. Describe the ads. Do not assume that everyone has seen them. Label the technique being used. Then explain why and how the ad fits the description of the technique.
The advertisement of a cell phone company expressing the idea that the majority of the population is already using their cell phone brand and that anyone who is not using the same brand will be treated as an outcast by his or her peers is an example of the bandwagon propaganda technique (McDonald  Palmer, 2003). As mentioned in the textbook, subjects of the bandwagon technique are compelled to join because everyone else has already joined. Another advertisement by a famous cosmetic company makes use of the testimonials wherein quotations or endorsements of famous people, usually celebrities, are used to increase the popularity and integrity of the product (McDonald  Palmer, 2003).

The said advertisement showcases a well-known celebrity who is attesting to the effectiveness of a product and all its good benefits (McDonald  Palmer, 2003).

What concept, issue, or theory that you learned in this class do you think you are likely to remember the most Remember one and explain it. I will remember everything does not count.

I believe that the propaganda techniques are the concepts that I am likely to remember even after the semester ends. This is because of the fact that I was amazed by the idea that daily advertisements on television, radio, and other media contain hidden messages which are able to persuade people to adhere to a certain line of thought. I believe that everyone should be aware of these techniques in order to save themselves from being victims of materialism and consumerism.
Assignment 5

Chapter 7A. What if retired government officials could not work for interest groups
If retired government employees could not work for interest groups, then the community wont be able to benefit from the expertise of these people which is a product of their long-time public service to the public. At the same time however, if retired government employees could not work for interest groups, then there might be an opportunity for new and fresh ideas from the younger population to flourish and influence the law-making process. The previously mentioned sentence is based on the notion that traditional ideas and other old ways from past employees might be carried out to the next generation and such event will signal an endless political cycle that is participated by a different set of law-makers. The influence of the retired government employees should be treated as both beneficial and threatening. The law-makers and the general public must be able to discern if these people are still capable of providing good service to the people or if they must be awarded with the premature retirement from public service.  

Chapter 21. What if former Texas Lawmakers were banned from lobbying
According to reports, Texas is the US state with the highest number of lawmakers-turned-lobbyists. These former lawmakers say that the advantage of being lobbyists immediately after retiring from the law-making office is that they will be able to impart their hard-earned knowledge and experience to influence the legislature of their state in order to maintain peace and organization. Such response, I believe, will be the drawback of preventing Texas lawmakers from being lobbyists. Furthermore, these people affirm that their qualifications are enough for them to support advocacy groups so that they can be able to carry out their goals and political aspirations for the state of Texas.

Assignment 7
Kennedy says in his speech that the missiles in Cuba add to an already clear and present danger. Do the discussions in the Excomm bear out that assertion

The discussions of the Executive Committee on the 16th of October 1962 are not indicative of the clear and present danger that John F. Kennedy has mentioned in his presidential address held 6 days later. The transcript of the meeting shows that the members of the Executive committee believed that the missile installation in Cuba will have serious effects on the psychological impacts of Soviet weapons in Cuba, and it was even mentioned that such kind of activity will result in the active participation of the United States. However, the active participation will only happen if the Cuban government will carry out offensive actions against the US, but the absence of that event will render US to sit back and wait for the direct threats. Furthermore, the issue with Cuba is perceived to be a domestic, political struggle rather than an issue of military problems. Hence, the conversation in the Excomm did not bear out the aforementioned assertion.

If McNamara was correct and the missiles posed a political, rather than a military, problem, were the solutions discussed appropriate In the meeting they discussed a tactical air strike, a massive air strike, an invasion, and eventually a blockade.  What option or options did they not discuss
It was clearly mentioned in the Executive meeting that McNamara believed that the issue with Cuba was of a domestic political type rather than a military concern. Hence, it can be said that the solutions deemed to be executed were inappropriate because a domestic political issue should not be handled that way. If the gentlemen really regarded the Cuban issue as a mere representation of political misunderstanding, then they should have opted for negotiations and other peace-promoting options first rather than venturing in a catastrophic method. These methods were characterized by tactical air strike, a massive air strike, and an invasion, but they failed to discuss about the grounds by which the missile installation in Cuba was considered to be a domestic, political struggle. They failed to explain further the reason by which it was regarded as political concern. It seemed that the gentlemen of the said meeting were too engrossed on the idea of engaging in a military battle against the Cuban government.
Assignment 8
The Iran-Contra affair damaged Reagans credibility and his standing with the public. The text refers to the episode as a self-inflicted wound. Do the accounts of Weinberger and Schultz support that analysis

If so, in what ways
The memoirs written by Caspar Weinberger in 1990 and by George P. Schultz in 1993 regarding the issue of the arms-for-hostages deal between United of States of America and Iran were certainly indicative of the self-inflicted wound which President Reagan did to himself. This is supported by the idea presented by the two authors that, given the position that they occupy in the US government, the president still decided to ignore their propositions and pushed through with the idea of selling arms to Israel, which were later sold to Iran in exchange of the release of the abducted Americans.

Schultz writes that Reagan was generally detached, but there were three or four issuesabout which he cared intensely and which he followed closely. One such issue was theplight of the American hostages in Lebanon. Do the two accounts support the image of Reagan as totally disengaged Do they support Schultzs conclusion If so, how If not, why not
The conclusion of Schultz that President Reagan was totally detached from the issue was not properly represented in his accounts. Although most of the idea concerning the covert aid to the Contras came from McFarlane and Poindexter, the president still cannot deny the fact the he signed the draft of a finding on January 6, 1986. Furthermore, President Reagans status as the chief executive officer of the United States of America cannot directly link him to all of the activities, especially of military concern, that happened under his administration.

Compare the two versions. What differences do you observe What do these differences tell you about the events What do they tell you about the two men who wrote the respective memoirs

The memoir of Weinberger told the events on the earlier parts of the crisis. He was able to describe the crises of the moment and the stand of the President to it. Schultzs version, on the other hand, appears to be a continuation and further clarification of the story of Weinberger. Consistence of ideas was seen on the memoirs of the two gentlemen. After scrutiny of the assertions made by the two men, it can be deduced that Weinberger and Schultz are two men who fought for their beliefs in relation to the existing laws on ransom-giving but were defeated by the policies of other diplomats like McFarlane and Poindexter.

Responses
Based on the information in the Mapping the Past section, evaluate how important railroads were to economic development in the late nineteenth century.

In reply to the first response
The fist response was right when it mentioned that railroads were of significant importance to the development of the economy and industry, and to the enhancement of the overall properties of lifestyle of the nineteenth century. The writer of the aforementioned response made proper citations of the direct beneficiaries of the railroad system during the 19th century by mentioning the tracking of agricultural products, transport of individuals, and the discovery of the untouched resources of the nation.

The historian William Chafe has written that sending a daughter to college was like letting the genie out of the bottle. Why was this so What long-term effects did the higher education of a significant number of women have

In reply to the first response
William Chafes statement that sending a daughter to college is like opening the cap of a genie bottle is in line with the idea that a college education for females is synonymous to the opening of countless opportunities and other favorable benefits on the part of the female student. Moreover, infiltration of the female population into agencies and other areas which were traditionally manipulated by their male counterparts is the long-term effect college education () of women. Such ideas were also presented by the first response. Hence, I agree with the ides presented by the writer of the first response.

What role did women play in progressivism How did their concerns shape the Progressive Era

In reply to the first response
Societal change as a consequence of women-dominated progressivism was indeed the theme of the Progressive Era. The writer of the first response mentioned the activities that were carried out by various women organizations in order to achieve equal rights and benefits with their male counterparts. However, the first response neglected to state that such kind of progressivism is a function of the increased number of women who are able to attend formal education. Nevertheless, the first response revealed appropriate explanations and proper citation of events.

Discuss the significance of film and radio in creating a national culture.

In reply to the first response
Film and radio are two elements that have been integral in shaping the national culture of the American people and that of the other nations in the globe as well. The reason behind such perception lies in the fact that along with the development of movie-making and use of radio is also the growth of the awareness of cultural identity as represented in various movies and other radio programs.

Consequently, the first response was right when it mentioned that radio and film were able to revive the interest of the people on cultural morality, legal stages, and other glamorous aspects of life.
Discuss the impact of the Depression on families and on gender relations.

In reply to the first response
I must agree with the first response when it mentioned that the Great Depression in the American culture during the 1930s caused the citizens to purchase goods that are only within their financial capabilities. However, I wont agree that being lethargic was a consequence of the aforementioned event because the American people were still able to eat energy-giving provisions. Furthermore, strengthening of family relations can really be regarded as a direct effect of the depression. At this point in history, the American people were really engaged in activities that would render positive feelings and emotions, and family bonding was one of these practices.

What as the significance of Trumans decision not to ask Congress for a declaration of war in Korea
In reply to the first response

I must agree with the first reply to this question which states the idea that involvement in the Korean conflict without the declaration of war is a form of Constitution circumvention. Moreover, I will back up the said idea by saying that President Truman engaged in the Korean conflict in order to prove that his government would not allow further expansion of communism in the Asian land.

Whatmight the experience of Little Rock indicate about the maps showing national patterns of desegregation in the same section

In reply to the first response
The first response provided limited information on the background of the Little Rock in Arkansas experience. It would have been better if the writer of this response provided more details of the Little Rock experience. Nevertheless, it can still be said that the first response was able to properly establish the connection of the Little Rock to national patterns of desegregation maps. I also agree that even at present, racial discrimination is still evident in the American culture, an event showing that the Americans have not learned properly from the occurrences of the past.

Consult the Debating the Past section and the material relating to Reagans foreign policy in chapter 31. What role did the Reagan administration play in the fall of the Soviet Union

In reply to the first response
The real participation of President Reagan in the collapse of the power of the Soviet Union is still a debatable idea. The first response made appropriate citations of the reasons by which the collapse can or cannot be attributed to the actions of the Reagan government. Others said that the Soviet Union was already frail prior to the administration of Reagan and the said president had no direct involvement on the collapse, but some other historians would say that Reagans participation was essential in speeding up the fall of the Soviet Union.