Below are the directions for the final paper:
General Directions: Utilizing the structural-functional framework, analyze how your country’s political system works, its strengths and weaknesses and how it compares to other countries we have discussed. (Paper should be a minimum of 12 double spaced, typed pages/ no maximum; Please use 12 font)
You need to be citing AT LEAST 8 outside sources (journal articles/ books, no websites) Remember you should use the Carothers, O’Donnell, Rothstein and Stolle, Putnam, and Linz and Stepan articles.
Here are the 4 main components we will be looking for (especially when we are grading your final draft of your papers):
1. Organization: “Tell them what you’re going to tell them, Tell them, Tell them what you told them” (10 points)Introductory paragraph that:States topic of paperHas a clear thesis statementBody paragraphs that discuss the main ideas and key details (see below for more information on content)Each new topic should have a new paragraphFlow of paperTransitions between paragraphs so that one paragraph clearly relates to the previous and proceeding paragraphsConcluding paragraph that sums up paper
2. Grammar/ Spelling (5 points)USE spellcheck!!!!!Watch comma usageWatch incomplete sentences. Watch verb tenseCheck capitalizationVary sentence structure and word choice
3. Content: For your case study you should discuss: (30 points)
History
Political Culture/ Political SocializationInterest ArticulationInterest Aggregation
Policymaking Process and Policy/ OutputsGovernment StructureLeadership (i.e. executive-actually names)(Here, you basically will be editing your three case study papers and combining them. Please make sure to read our comments and make the necessary adjustments)
4. Critical Analysis-Once you have given the “details” of your country you MUST analyze how the political system works- This is what we’ve been encouraging you to do on your case study assignments (30 points)How do the above interdependent parts (interest articulation/ aggregation, political culture, history, government structure/ decisions rules, policy) interact with each other and impact the overall functioning of your country’s political system?) Compare your country to AT LEAST 2 of the countries we discussed in class What are the challenges facing your country? If your country is a democracy, in what areas does it need to improve to become a developed, consolidated democracy or to deepen the democracy? OR If your country is not a democracy, should it be assessed in terms of its potential for democracy or simply assessed for the political system it currently is?
Compare Iran to Russia and to China








Jermaine Byrant
Nicole Johnson



