Two Questions

1: Star Trek TOS “The Ultimate Computer”:  Work out a deductive or an

inductive argument based on the issue of whether the M-5 can

replace the crew of the Enterprise.

2: Star Trek TNG “The Quality of Life”: Work out an inductive argument on whether the Exocomps are life forms with rights as given by Data in Star Trek TNG “The Quality of Life”. Test if the argument is strong or weak and if so, test if its cogent or not. Please use reconstruction methods as learnt in chapter 5

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Chapter 5:

1. Explain why American political parties seem to be “in disarray,” yet still provide useful political functions.

2. Discuss the influence of money in state elections, and various attempts to regulate state campaign finance.

4. Video. According to the campaign manager Aaron E. Ringel , what is the key to a successful campaign in a political race? What makes the job of campaign manager so difficult?

Chapter 6:

1. List and describe the main functions of state legislators. Which function seems most important and why?

2. Which groups are over-represented and which are under-represented in state legislatures? How might this affect policy? Give one specific example.

3. Briefly discuss the organization of, and procedures used by, legislatures. Give one example of what affect these structures, rules and norms have on the day to day operations of legislatures?

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In this essay you will consider arguments about where policy decisions should be made (Federal, state, or local) in the context of recent policymaking in the areas of social welfare and the environment. To prepare to write the essay, read:

1) textbook Chapter 3

2) “The New Federalism” which includes short readings by Eggers/O’Leary and Donahue (pdf)

SOCIAL POLICY

3) http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/most-welfare-dollars-dont-go-directly-to-poor- people-anymore/

Data illustration at http://features.marketplace.org/yourstateonwelfare/ ENVIRONMENT

4) http://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/07/climate/california-auto-emissions-trump.html Data illustration at http://www.c2es.org/content/state-climate-policy/

Write an essay in which you 1) explain the debate between Eggers/O’Leary and Donahue, detailing their arguments carefully, 2) tell how their claims hold up in light of the 2 policies above, and 3) given all of this, tell which of the authors (Eggers/O’Leary OR Donahue) you find most persuasive and why.