ability to influence others or impose one’s will on them

Read newspaper articles (from any acceptable source listed at the end) that connect with topics we discuss and read about in class.

2- writes a summary of the article (1 paragraph).

3- Define the concept you think is applicable (1 sentence).

I already give you the concept and its definition:

This article illustrates the concept of “State”, which is defined as “geographic unit with supreme authority over its territory” (Hoard, 2015). And you can find an article about ISIS because ISIS is a group that has declared itself its own state.

4- states why this article addresses a topic that is discussed in the field of comparative politics

(1 paragraph).

AND cannot focus on the United States. In other words, you must use articles that cover current events outside of the United States. You must provide a citation for the article at the bottom of your posts.

Example:

The article, “Russia reveals huge cost of supporting the rouble” discusses the impact of Western sanctions over Ukraine on the Russian currency. According to the article, “the rouble dropped by 41% against the dollar and by 34% against the euro” in 2014 (“Russia reveals huge cost”, 2015). Due to the sanctions and their impact on Russian currency, the Russian economy is now in recession.

The concept this article illustrates is power which is defined as the “ability to influence others or impose one’s will on them” (O’Neil 2010, p. 3).

This article illustrates power because Western countries, including the United States placed these sanctions on Russia in an effort to influence the behavior of Russia in regards to the Ukraine. These sanctions were imposed in order to stop what was perceived as interventionist action by Russia in the Ukraine region. While the sanctions do not seem to have impacted Russia behavior, the falling rouble and economic recession may influence Russian leaders to act more in accordance with the values of Western countries.

Russia reveals huge cost of supporting the rouble. (2015, January 12). BBC News. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/business-30777228.

Why is this a good current events post?

· Follows the required formatting of the assignment (1st paragraph describes the article in at least 3 sentences, defines the concept, last paragraph explains how the article illustrates the concept in at least 3 sentences).

· The article is from the current week. You must use an article that was published from Sunday – Saturday of that week. This is important!! While the deadline each week is Sunday at 11:59pm, please note that Sunday is the start of the next week (posts completed on Sunday of the due date cannot use an article published that day). Each discussion board shows acceptable dates from that week. Please make sure your article is published during these dates.

· The post uses a concept from this week. You must use a concept we have covered in class that week (or the week before) or you will not receive any credit.

· Includes a bibliography reference at the end of the post. You can use any citation style you choose, but you must make sure you include the date of the article to receive a grade for the assignment.

· Uses a source from the back of the syllabus. If you do not use a source from the syllabus (or get prior approval) you will get a 0.

· The article is not about the United States.

· Please note that I cited O’Neil when I used his definition in my post. You must cite your definition whether you paraphrase or directly quote a source.

Websites for current event:

Newspapers and News Organizations:

The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com

The Financial Times

http://www.ft.com

The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com

The London Times

http://www.thetimes.co.uk

The London Guardian – Observer

http://www.guardian.co.uk

The BBC World Service

http://www0.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/index.htm

The Times of India

http://www.timesofindia.com

The Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com

Aljazeera

http://www.aljazeera.com/

The Economist

http://www.economist.com

The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com

National Public Radio

http://www.npr.org

The New Republic

http://www.thenewrepublic.com

The Washington Times

http://www.washtimes.com

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