Democracy and Inequality

1. Democracy and Inequality Paper – Due in class, Thursday, 8 February

The purpose of this assignment is to gauge how well you are handling the idea of political economy as a way of viewing the interwoven threads of politics, economics and cultural life. Our textbook Government By The People and our other readings adopt this way of viewing the world by examining the structure of our system. In lieu of a formal class meetings on Tuesday, 30 January, please view the video featuring Professor Robert Reich, “Inequality For All.” I would like you to then think about how our textbook and other readings view the issue of income and wealth inequality, and then write a 3-4 page (12 pitch font, please, typed, double-spaced, proofread, etc) reaction essay in which you discuss democracy and income and wealth inequality. Why are these ideas important?  How do these ideas challenge us to look at the structure of our political system differently?  Please bring these reaction essays to class on Tuesday, 6 February, so we can discuss your ideas. Then you have until our next class to revise what you’ve written if you feel the need to. In the process of thoughtfully exploring Reich’s thesis, you must weave in to your analysis at least one article from among Cagan, Lappe and King. There is no need for elaborate footnoting with this essay. When you cite an article, simply put the author’s name and the page number in parentheses after the quoted material, as in: (Lappe 15). Obviously 3-4 pages is not a lot of space. Your brief essays need to be economical expressions of thought; thus, they will benefit from clarity and organization. You want to achieve maximum impact with a minimum of words.