{"id":490,"date":"2021-09-17T14:07:10","date_gmt":"2021-09-17T18:07:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2021\/?page_id=490"},"modified":"2021-09-22T10:52:27","modified_gmt":"2021-09-22T14:52:27","slug":"essay-question-1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2021\/essay-question-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Essay Question #1"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Shocker in South Bend!
\n(and it\u2019s not the near defeat of the Irish at the hands of a MAC team)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hey, World Politics fans!<\/p>\n

Like any good scholar, I do my best to keep up with diverse perspectives on American politics. Thus, I follow a variety of news sources, from the liberal New York Times<\/em> to the traditionally conservative Wall Street Journal<\/em>. Occasionally, I even dare to venture into the dangerous territory of cable news (e.g., CNN, FOX). But nothing could have prepared me for Tucker Carlson\u2019s recent hour and fifteen-minute interview of Curtis Yarvin (a.k.a. Mencius Mordbug). I know a bit about Yarvin\/Mordbug, and it is all bad.\u00a0 Here are two of Yarvin\u2019s blog posts.<\/p>\n

Accoring to Yarvin:<\/p>\n

\u201cNot all humans are born the same, of course, and the innate character and intelligence of some is\"\" more suited to mastery than slavery.\u00a0 For others, it is more suited to slavery. And others still are badly suited to either.\u00a0 These characteristics can be expected to group differently in human populations of different origins. Thus, Spaniards and Englishmen in the Americas in the 17th<\/sup> and earlier centuries, whose sense of political correctness was negligible, found that Africans tended to make good slaves and Indians did not.\u00a0 This broad pattern of observation is most parsimoniously explained by genetic differences.\u00a0 A person makes a good slave if he is loyal, patient, and not exceptionally bright or stubborn.\u00a0 But even great intelligence is not necessarily a bar to a good experience in slavery \u2026 A slave must carry the unique burden of personal dependency and obedience \u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

About the Norwegian mass murderer Anders Breivik (ABB), Yarvin has observed:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can note the only thing he didn\u2019t screw up.\u00a0At least he shot communists, not Muslims.\u00a0He gored the matador and not the cape.\u00a0While still basically animal behavior (especially when it comes to the 15-year-olds\u2014is there a 15-year-old in the world who\u00a0isn\u2019t<\/em>\u00a0a communist?), it\u2019s more than I\u2019d expect from a rogue\u00a0Gates of Vienna<\/a>\u00a0commenter.\u00a0We should also praise ABB for his spectacular stupidity, which I\u2019d like to think can be a learning experience for the entire right\u2014from Instapundit to Stormfront.\u00a0You can relax now, because we won\u2019t be praising him again. But we do need to remember that terrorism, left or right, is a legitimate military tactic.\u00a0Just as a nation that idolizes Che has no genuine moral grounds for condemning ABB, a nation that annihilated Dresden has no genuine moral grounds for condemning\u00a0OBL<\/a> (Osama Bin Laden).\u00a0We\u2019re not exactly history\u2019s pure and precious little snowflake.\u201d<\/p>\n

How is it possible, I ask myself, that Carlson, the most watched cable-TV personality in the US, could bring Yarvin on his show? Indeed, can liberal democracy survive if people like Yarvin are given public platforms to promote their views?<\/p>\n

I am so shocked that I hardly know what to think.\u00a0 Luckily, I have two friends, Cardi and Megan,\"\" who are much more decisive than I.\u00a0 I also know that Cardi and Megan are quite tight, so they are sure to tell me exactly what position I should take.\u00a0 I invite both to have dinner with me in my luxury box in the virtually unknown \u201c1842 Club\u201d in Notre Dame stadium. \u00a0I also invite a new friend, you! First, I turn to Cardi. \u201cWell, good friend, is it a good thing for our liberal democracy that Tucker provided Yarvin with this platform?\u201d\u00a0 \u201cAbsolutely not!\u201d Cardi replies, \u201cIt\u2019s a travesty that Yarvin was invited and it\u2019s a terrible thing for democracy.\u201d\u00a0 Since I can always count on Megan to express her convictions, I ask her what she thinks. The room is suddenly silent. To my surprise, Megan scowls at her friend. \u201cWell, Meggie, \u201cshe retorts, \u201cyou are totally wrong. It was entirely appropriate for Carlson to host Yarvin. And it\u2019s a good thing for liberal democracy, too!\u201d<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t believe the acrimonious tension that has arisen in the room, especially from two buddies (former buddies?) like Cardi and Megan. I certainly don\u2019t want to risk of alienating either of my friends. So, I decide to pass the buck to you.\u00a0 \u201cWell, my new friend, what do you think?\u00a0 As far as liberal democracy is concerned, was it appropriate for Carlson to invite Yarvin on his show.\u00a0 And please don\u2019t waffle.\u00a0 I want a firm and unequivocal answer!\u201d<\/p>\n

You are on the hot seat. Please respond to my question by taking a firm and unequivocal stand on who is right, Cardi or Megan?\u00a0 Feel free to use any of your course readings (e.g., Kingdon, Mill, Mudde, et al.) to justify your argument.\u00a0 If you like, you may listen to the Carlson interview HERE<\/a>, but you already<\/u> have enough information to respond to the prompt above.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do NOT undertake any additional reading or research. Also do not focus on trying to ascertain whether Yarvin\u2019s comments are good.\u00a0 For the purposes of this assignment\u2014and, I hope, for everyone\u2014one can\u2019t defend even a little bit of slavery or the murder of innocent people in a liberal society, or for that matter in any good society.\u00a0 Nor is the prompt about whether Carlson\u2019s interviewing style is good or not. Your question is about a different topic, that is, whether Carlson\u2019s decision to give Yarvin a platform is a good thing for liberal democracy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We have designed this assignment to teach you while you are thinking and writing. These skills will be useful throughout your college years and beyond.<\/p>\n

First, we are challenging you to make and defend an argument. A persuasive argument always has two features: 1) a clear and concise statement of where you stand; and 2) an explanation of your reasons for taking this position rather than its rival. As every good epidemiologist, climate scientist, and football coach knows, a successful argument or strategy must anticipate the counterargument or counterstrategy that someone will raise against it. This means that you should clearly state both your argument and the counterargument that will likely be raised against you.<\/p>\n

Second, we are challenging you to wrestle with a challenging issue. Thus, it will not be sufficient for you simply to describe what you have read or heard. We are asking you to demonstrate that you fully understand the topic and its implications.<\/p>\n

We will evaluate your essay according to three criteria: the clarity and consistency of your argument; your use of readings, lectures, and discussion sections to back up your points concretely; and, importantly, your demonstrated ability to think for yourself.\u00a0 Remember:\u00a0 if you are not sure what you are saying, we will not be sure what you are saying either. Take a stand, explain yourself, and do so in the clearest possible fashion!<\/p>\n

NOTE:\u00a0 There is no single, correct answer to this question.\u00a0 Feel free to take any stand you like. We are not judging your personal political convictions. Rather, we are interested in your ability to make a convincing argument.<\/p>\n

When referring to your readings, feel free to use any simple citation form (e.g., author and page). It is fine to use short quotations, but indicate why you are using them. Quotations do not speak for themselves.<\/p>\n

Finally, don\u2019t forget the Shaker hymn: \u201c \u2018tis a joy to be simple . . .\u201d\u00a0 State your argument boldly; justify it in a logical fashion; when you are done, stop.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Honor Code<\/strong> to which you have affixed your signature applies! It is fine with me if you discuss this assignment with your classmates. However, your essay and argument must be absolutely, completely, and unmistakably your own work. For this reason, unless you are consulting your TA or meeting with someone at the Writing Center, do not share any part of your essay with anyone else.\u00a0 Exceptions:\u00a0 By all means, visit your TA and the Writing Center. Dare to visit me! Failing to take advantage of these wonderful opportunities is not only a mistake.\u00a0 It is downright illogical.<\/p>\n

Some words of advice<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Read this assignment closely the minute you receive it.\u00a0At first, it may seem complicated.\u00a0However, if you allow its elements to percolate through your brain, you will find that they all flow together.<\/p>\n

Do not put this assignment off until the last moment.\u00a0If you do so, you will not be a happy camper and neither will we.\u00a0 Write a first draft, put it aside, then re-read and write some more. Then, repeat.
\n
\nRequirements and Deadline<\/strong>: Your essay should be no more than three (3) double-spaced, typed pages (12 point font). No exceptions to these rules! We will be looking. Give the essay an effective title that is directly related to the prompt. Do not forget to put your name on it.<\/p>\n

Please adhere to\u00a0every word<\/strong>\u00a0of these guidelines. You must turn in your essay to your TA no later than 12:00 noon on Friday, September 24. Your TA will tell you how to deliver your essay. Late papers will be docked 1\/3 of a letter grade for each day they are late. In a remarkable gesture of feudal beneficence and to give you ample time to focus on this essay, we will not hold discussion sections on Friday, September 11. Call us generous!<\/p>\n

My expectations are not unreasonable.\u00a0 I simply request that you write the best essay you have ever written in your life.<\/p>\n

Good luck!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Shocker in South Bend! (and it\u2019s not the near defeat of the Irish at the hands of a MAC team) Hey, World Politics fans! Like any good scholar, I do my best to keep up with diverse perspectives on American politics. Thus, I follow a variety of news sources, from the liberal New York … Continue reading “Essay Question #1”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":114,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-490","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/490","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/114"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=490"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/490\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":518,"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/490\/revisions\/518"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/world-politics-2021\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=490"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}