PES4021-D Issues in World Politics Coursework Brief | UoB

Assessment for Block 1 Politics of Sustainability (25%)

Write one essay of 1500 words chosen from the following list:

1. What are the three central 'political qualities' of Sustainable Development Goal setting? How do these impact the transition from global agreement to national policymaking? Could you elaborate on your answer by using one country for each of the qualities?

2. Examine ‘CUP28’ played in class through theories of green politics. Discuss to what extent the game models real-life scenarios. Give country-specific examples discussed in class to support your arguments.

3. What lessons can be learnt from collective action and social movements for climate justice in the global south? Using specific examples and case studies, examine how ‘Power’ and ‘Institutions’ play an important role in the politics of sustainability.

Assessment for Block 2 Technology and Governance (25%)

Write one essay of 1500 words chosen from the following list:

1. In 2020, Bill Clinton observed that China’s efforts at controlling the internet would be like “trying to nail Jell-O to the wall.” Despite that, several authoritarian regimes have since demonstrated remarkable success in monitoring and restricting online activity. Drawing on at least one case study, critically analyse how autocratic governments use surveillance and digital control measures to consolidate their power.

2. Does moving towards digitalised government services enhance effectiveness and efficiency? In your answer, choose a real-life e-government or digital public service from a country of your choice and assess its impact on different stakeholders.

3. “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it” – Joseph Goebbels. Using Goebbels’ quote as a starting point, discuss how digital platforms and their algorithms can amplify misinformation and deepen social divisions. In your answer, you are required to refer to and analyse at least one contemporary example of viral misinformation or disinformation.

Assessment for Block 3 The Rise of Populism (25%)

Write one essay of 1500 words chosen from the following list

1. Compare and contrast prominent cases of populism in the West and in the global South. How are they different? How are they similar?

2. To what extent can the rise of populism be explained by nationalism vs economic inequality? Draw on two case studies to answer.

3. Is populism the best expression of democracy? Using a case study, discuss the
ways in which populist leaders and movements engage with democratic institutions, and whether they strengthen or undermine democracy.

Assessment for Block 4 Authoritarianism, Democracy, and Violence (25%)

Write an essay of 1500 words examining one of the questions below.

1. What factors have played a role in the (re-)emergence of authoritarian regimes or democratic backsliding? Answer using a specific case study.
2. “After each war, there is a little less democracy to save.” (Brooks Atkinson, journalist). Discuss this quote about the use of state-sponsored violence and democratic values in two cases.
3. Choose a democratic or authoritarian regime. Identify the violent and non-violent tactics used to preserve or challenge power in this context.

For all the tasks except the reflective essay:

• To achieve 40-47%, students must present a basic argument/analysis, which uses an appropriate number of academic sources, and which is comprehensibly written, and most sources are correctly referenced.
• To achieve 48-57%, students must present a coherent and focused argument/ analysis, which uses a good number of academic sources, and which is comprehensibly written and meets standard scholarly standards.
• To achieve 58-67%, students must present a coherent, focused and convincing argument/analysis which uses a wide range of academic sources, and which is well written and meets or exceeds standard scholarly standards.
• To achieve 68+% students must present a coherent, highly focused, strong and persuasive argument/analysis which uses an excellent range of academic sources, and which is well written, edited and refined, and exceeds standard scholarly standards.